Hollywood heartthrob Johnny Depp was America’s favorite movie star in 2010, according to new data from Harris Interactive. Depp climbed to the top spot from number two in 2009 and also pushed last year’s number one, legendary tough guy Clint Eastwood, all the way down to number nine this year.
Last year’s number three actor, fellow heartthrob Denzel Washington, climbed into the number spot in 2010.
Deceased Actor Takes Third Spot
Although he has been deceased since 1979, another legendary movie tough guy, John Wayne, snared the third spot, up from number seven in 2009. Possibly publicity surrounding the remake of Wayne’s 1969 Western “True Grit,” which earned him his only Best Actor Academy Award, renewed appreciation for “The Duke.”
Ford, Jolie Reappear
Harrison Ford and Angelina Jolie, who both ranked in 2008 but not in 2009, returned in 2010 to take the fourth and fifth spots, respectively. They replaced two actors who charted in 2009, Morgan Freeman and Meg Ryan. Outside of Eastwood falling from the first to ninth spot, the biggest year-over-year decline was experienced by Sandra Bullock, who tumbled from number four to number 10.
Men, Middle Aged Like Denzel
Looking at favorite actor by different demographic characteristics, men, Gen X and Baby Boomers (covering ages 34 to 64), Democrats, and residents of the East, Midwest and South all gave their hearts to Denzel Washington. Women favored Johnny Depp, as did Echo Boomers (18-33), Westerners, liberals and independents. Although Republicans skew male, they, too preferred Johnny Depp.
Meanwhile, John Wayne swaggered into the affections of conservatives and those age 65 and up.
Young Actors Return Most Dough
Rising young film star Shia LaBoeuf offers film studios the most return per dollar of his salary of any actor today, according to data from Forbes. The top three actors on the list, Shia LaBoeuf (24), Anne Hathaway (27) and Daniel Radcliffe (21), are the three entrants younger than 30. They also all return roughly two to 2.5 more profits per dollar of investment than the next-highest-ranked actor, Robert Downey Jr. (44).
About the Data: This Harris Poll was conducted online within the United States between December 6 to 13, 2010 among 2,331 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online.