Posted on 03/18/2009 6:36:29 PM PDT by Free ThinkerNY
No, it’s not any of those celebrities we’re told are stars. DiCaprio and George Clooney didn’t even make the top 10. Neither did Ashton Kutcher, Sean Penn, Brad Pitt, Seth Rogen, Matt Damon, Will Farrell, or Tom Cruise.
Every year for about 15 years now, Harris Interactive has conducted a nationwide poll and asked a very simple question: “Who is your favorite movie star?” And every year since the taking of the poll one particular individual has placed in the top ten — 13 of those years in the top 3.
This year, 2,388 U.S. adults were surveyed and this star rose three places to tie Will Smith for third. Only Denzel Washington and Clint Eastwood rank as more popular.
One last hint before the reveal: This star is the only actor in the history of the poll to rank posthumously:
Here’s the 2009 rundown:
Denzel Washington
Clint Eastwood
John Wayne
Will Smith
Harrison Ford
Julia Roberts
Tom Hanks
Johnny Depp
Angelina Jolie
Morgan Freeman
In 2007, Time Magazine’s Richard Corliss (a film writer I respect) got it kinda wrong when Wayne ranked #3 back in 2007:
Nothing radical there, except that Pitt, Jolie and, oh, Tom Cruise were among the missing. …
Forget the youthquake. What America really loves is… old. Whatever Wayne represents - the Old Testament God, a Mount Rushmore face with a permanent scowl, the craggy soul of Frontier or Sunbelt America[.] …
Will Hollywood take any lessons from this poll - say, to make movies with, and for, older people. Nah. The moguls have read the small print in the Harris poll, and noted that it was weighted for many variables, but not to mirror the average age of moviegoers.
(Excerpt) Read more at bighollywood.breitbart.com ...
Soon he will be back to number one where he belongs.
As I remember, john wayne was number one consistently until about 1995(approx) when he was bumped to number 2 by mel gibson.
I kinda assumed it would be mel in second place today, and the duke in third, and someone else number one...like maybe one of those effeminate queers that are so popular nowdays...ben stiller, owen wilson, etc.
I was pleasantly surprised.
Gene Kelly was the best. What a body! Yowza.
John Wayne: American.
I’m down with Denzel, The Duke and Morgan Freeman.
I’ll go with Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman for greatest living
Who’s on first.
Well, that takes all the fun out of the thread.
Cool pic, though.
Gene kelly? Gosh, burt lancaster has him beat, I think.
Thank you jdfrimny.
John Wayne was an actor who truly loved America. Besides he was a damn good actor. And while Ronald Reagan wasnt a particularly great actor, he too loved America and showed that love as president.
I will never understand the popularity with Julie Roberts. Granted she has been miscast many times, but even then I didn’t care for her performances.
I love Clint too!
America, Pilgrim. Love it or leave it.
Sweetttt
Glad Denzel is on top, I don’t know his politics, but I’ve heard interviews where he says he will only do movies with ‘positive values’, even if he is a villain, he has to either have consequences to his actions or turn to the good. Not to mention he is a brilliant actor.
Wow! That was great! Terrific video presentation. Thanks so much for that.
I just watched The Horse Soldiers the other night. It was a bit corny at times, but still one of the most enjoyable movies I've seen for a while.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.