Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Hollywood's most bankable actresses

May 29, 2009 14:58 IST
Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon has reason to flash her sunny smile. The Legally Blonde actress is the only woman to appear on The Ulmer Scale's global bankability survey of actors in Hollywood. And she has topped the women's top 10 list as well.

The Ulmer Scale's Actors Hot List measures the power surges and drops of more than 1,400 stars around the world according to their bankability -- defined by James Ulmer [an international editor, columnist and founder of the company] as the degree to which an actor's name alone can trigger full financing for a movie.

2. Julia Roberts

May 29, 2009 14:58 IST
Julia Roberts

Former number one female star Julia Roberts slipped 11 points to 12th place with 80 points, moving off the A+ list for the first time in 15 years, largely due to her reduced workload in the past two years.

3. Kate Winslet

May 29, 2009 14:58 IST
Kate Winslet

The actress, who won her first Oscar for her role in The Reader, came in third with 80 points.

4. Cameron Diaz

May 29, 2009 14:58 IST
Cameron Diaz

At fourth place is the Charlies' Angels star with 76 points.

5. Keira Knightley

May 29, 2009 14:58 IST
Keira Knightley

The Brit star scored 76 points to make it to the top five.

6. Meryl Streep

May 29, 2009 14:58 IST
Meryl Streep
The 15-time Oscar nominated actress scored 75 points. Streep has had a great 2008 with films like Mamma Mia! and the Oscar nominated Doubt.

7. Scarlett Johansson

May 29, 2009 14:58 IST
Scarlett Johansson

The sexy actress managed to make it to the list after she scored 73 points.

8. Nicole Kidman

May 29, 2009 14:58 IST
Nicole Kidman

One-time number two actress Nicole Kidman slipped to eighth place with 73 points, sliding off the A list altogether.

9. Angelina Jolie

May 29, 2009 14:58 IST
Angelina Jolie

A growing brood and domestic chores seem to have affected the world's most beautiful woman's ranking, as she scored 71 points only.

10. Penelope Cruz

May 29, 2009 14:58 IST
Penelope Cruz

A recent Oscar winner for her role in Vicki Barcelona, Cruz barely made it to the list with 69 points.