Johnny Depp named as Hollywood’s best-paid star

[HMG Celebrity News] – In news that should be small surprise to his legions of fans, Forbes Magazine has just named Johnny Depp as Hollywood’s highest-paid actor for 2010.

The 47-year old Kentucky native raked in $75-million last year, mostly from his latest work with Tim Burton, ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ which has earned $1.02-billion worldwide — and Johnny gets to share in every dollar of that.

In second place is Ben Stiller — earning $53-million. Most of which came from December’s release of ‘Little Fokkers’ [aka, 'Meet the Parents III.']

In a surprising third place we find Tom Hanks, who bagged $45-million in 2009. His role in the screen adaptation of Dan Brown’s ‘Angels & Demons’ help the film gross $485.8-million worldwide, so he’s still got it – in spades.

And proof of Tom’s gifts can be seen in the fact that his next project is a movie he both co-wrote and co-produced, and will also direct and star in: ‘Larry Crowne.’ It concerns a middle-aged guy [Tom] who gets fired and decides to re-boot his life by returning to college. It will co-star Julia Roberts and opens next year.

Completing the list are Adam Sandler, who earned $40-million, Leonardo DiCaprio [$28-million,] Daniel Radcliffe [$25-million,] Robert Downey Jr., [$22-million,] Tom Cruise [$22-million,] Brad Pitt [$20-million.] and the ever-present George Clooney, who somehow survived on just $19-million last year.

But those keeping score might notice one thing — The list is all guys! Forbes says women still earn less than men for working in Hollywood, but the highest-paid female in 2009 was Anne Hathaway. She earned the studios an average of $61 for every dollar she was paid. In contrast, Jennifer Aniston earned them just $21.

Like all lists this is subject to debate, so let’s hear your input — Does Johnny belong at #1? If not, who would you pick?…