Forbes' 2008 The Celebrity 100

Yesterday, Forbes released a special report on this year's The Celebrity 100 list. It is a list of the world's most powerful and best-paid celebrities. To generate the list, Forbes estimates celebrity earnings, then factors in media metrics like Google hits, press mentions as compiled by Factiva, TV/radio mentions from Lexis/Nexis and the number of times an A-lister appears on the cover of more than 50 consumer magazines. Earnings estimates are from June 2007 to June 2008 and consist of dollars earned solely from entertainment-related income. Management, agent, and attorney fees are not deducted.

Who made it to the top ten?

#1 Oprah Winfrey

Even if the ratings for The Oprah Winfrey Show decreased, Oprah remains on the top of the list. She will be in partnership with Discovery Communications next year and also has a three-year, $55 million deal with XM Satellite Radio.

#2 Tiger Woods

As he won his ninth PGA Player of the Year award and a seventh Vardon Trophy, he also bagged the inaugural FedEx Cup, earning $10 million payout. Woods has also big contracts with Nike, Accenture, Buick and Gillette. His latest endorsement is a five-year agreement for his own line of Gatorade drinks.

#3 Angelina Jolie

Despite the paparazzi, pregnancy and peace activism, Angelina manages to be on the third spot with her $14 million earnings and unrivaled levels of fame.

#4 Beyonce Knowles

After going solo since 2003, the Beyonce has released two platinum albums and built a wildly successful entertainment empire that includes fashion, film and publishing deals. She sold $50 million in tickets on a recent tour. Her endorsement contracts, with L'Oréal, American Express and others, bring in $10 million annually.

#5 David Beckham

David's salary for Los Angeles Galaxy was only $5.5 million but he's earning more than double from merchandise and sponsorship revenues. He had deals with Sharpie, Giorgio Armani, vitamin company Go Free, Adidas, Motorola and Pepsi.
#6 Johnny Depp

After being Captain Jack Sparrow, Johnny Depp starred in movie version of Sweeney Todd which grossed $154 million. He earned his third Best Actor Oscar nomination for his portrayal of the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

#7 Jay-Z

Jay-Z had a great year after releasing a second platinum comeback CD, American Gangster. Last April he signed a $150 million with 10-year recording, touring and merchandising deal with concert promoter Live Nation.

#8 The Police
The late-1970s rock band reunited at the 2007 Grammys performing its hit "Roxanne." Then they set off on a world tour, selling out $200 million worth of tickets and played to 4 million fans.

#9 J.K. Rowling

Her adventures of teenage magician Harry Potter and his classmates at Hogwarts became a children's literary sensation in 1998 with the U.S. publication of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The six subsequent books have now sold 375 million copies worldwide. The final one, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, has sold 44 million since it was published last July, including 15 million in the first 24 hours.

#10 Brad Pitt

Pitt banked $20 million in the past 12 months and was often spotted on the covers of magazines with Jolie as the two traveled the world promoting movies and working for various charities.

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