Once again, Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling has made Forbes Magazine’s annual listing of The Celebrity 100. Forbes tracks a number of statistics throughout the year, producing this ranking of the most powerful celebrities. Coming in at number nine on the list, J. K. Rowling was ranked behind such names as Oprah Winfery, Tiger Woods, Johnny Depp, and The Police on the 2008 report. Forbes notes the following:
It was wizardry that transformed J.K. Rowling from a destitute single mother on welfare into a best-selling billionaire. 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. It and 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.
Actor Daniel Radcliffe also made the list this year. Forbes ranked him number 64 on their list. Both Rowling and Radcliffe were included in Forbes’ rankings last year.
Wow, imagine being only 18 and on the Forbes 100 list (although I am certain there are also other young stars on the list – haven’t checked yet). And JKR’s story is pretty amazing.
It is a pretty good picture. It’s funny, he isn’t always very photogenic (some of the pictures are pretty awful), but there is something about him that’s just cute (and in that vein – some of his pictures are pretty hot).
Whatever. He’s actually ranked higher this year than last. I can’t image being 18 and on that list. Come to think of it, I’m Rowling’s age and I can’t image being on that list…
Congrats to Dan and JKR. This is not the most significant list in the world but it is a power meter and is maybe used as basis for decision making by some studio executives. And Dan is not the youngest person there. Miley Cyrus tops the teens included in this list even though they both have the same income. She upstaged Emma Watson who was included in this list last year. Of course, she was the most controversial of the teens upstaging even the scandalous LaLohan (who’s not a Teen anymore).
Awesome! But it is pretty sad that the Spice Girls and Miley Cyrus made it on the list of the most powerful people. That’s actually more scary than sad. I agree, Dan is not very photogenic. And I know I’m not.
And what’s being photogenic got to do with this POwer list? This is not about being good looking otherwise Emma Watson will be included here instead of Miley Showcase, eh – Cyrus. It’s amazing how one year of contoversy and media appearances shoved that girl up this list displacing Emma and Hayden Panettieri- # 97 and 98 last year..
BTW, I happen to disagree. Dan is photogenic enough, especially in candid shots. But with the dozens of cameras photographing him from different angles, lighting, and poses, there’s bound to be one or two that’s not good. One example was the pizza eating pic during the Teen VOgue photoshoot. Poor Danny boy was caught with his mouth open pigging out on some pizza. lol
Congrats to Dan and JKR for moving up on this list from their positions last year. And may I say I’m glad Emma is not included on this list this year. That way, the Rupert fans won’t come whining that Rupee is left out of the trio again. lol.
But seriously , the MIley phenomenon is amazing or should I say, Disney phenomenon. Emma barely got in last year and now, she has more Disney stars to contend with.
Bunny, i gotta agree with you on most of what you said , except i LOVED that pizza shot! He looked incredible ie gorgeous even with his mouth full of pizza! I also have to say that Dan is the most photogenic of all the male cast for certain, and that’s gotta go with the older cast as well (sorry Jason!) . Regarding some of his shots, that is because he, like all other actors does wear makeup on the red carpet and the problem lies with hi res cameras and what not that shows up the makeup, unfortunately. It is a very well known problem with the entertainment industry right now that has actors/actresses panicking (that includes Cameron Diaz, whose acne scars show up in those new bigscreen/hi res tvs many people have now.
Also Bunny is correct when she says looks have little to do with this list as this was based on not just earning power but media/radio/tv/mag buzz etc. Dan had more buzz than Zac Efron, to my surprise. Whatever, l gotta respect lists like this from respectable sources.
Well, the pizza pic was kinda cute in a way. Dan’s big blue eyes realy popped out in surprise. lol. And you’re right about the make up, radcakesfan. But thankfully, Dan’s acne seems to have gone. he wears less make up now and is more natural looking in his recent pics. Agree too on the most photogenic HP boy. The camera loves Dan. Even with mouth open. lol
And I’m surprised too that Zac’s rank is below Dan’s. He’s tabloid friendly and I thought he’d have more buzz. That somewhat proved my prediction that Zafron was just a ‘flavor of the month’ and doesn’t have lasting power. Right now, the current Disney flavor is Miley and let’s hope she has more staying power than the HSM cast. But with the way she’s been acting, looks like she’s going Lindsay’s way. Let’s see if she’s still on this list next year. Hopefully, our own Emma will be included now that she has finished school.
Let’s also rejoice, that JKR and Dan (Emma and Rupert even if they’re not in the list) are keeping their feet to the ground.
I am happy that the trio is made up of sensible kids who unlike most of their American counterparts, have managed to stay out of trouble. Really good rolemodels. And JKR who continues with her charitable work.
MovieGal and Scully don’t give me facts on highest grossing films of the year, its the point im making with critics. OOPT did the worst according to critics and that is all that matters. You come here and give me worthless facts on popularity. OOpt did so well in getting the cash rollin in because so many people went in expecting a great film and got a major dissappointment. The Harry Potter series has built up its highly successful film reputation over the years that so many expected OOPT to be good. Thats why it did so welll in the Box office.
I forgot to mention as well to the comment of MovieGal, Spiderman 3, I Am Legend, 300, Alvin and the Chipmunks were all in the top 10 for highest grossing films of 2007. That just goes to show that today society has no taste when it comes to choice of film. No Country For Old Men won Best Motion Picture of the year, but it was no were to be seen on that list.
"You know, the Stone was really not such a wonderful thing. As much money and life as you could want! The two things most human beings would choose above all -- the trouble is, humans do have a knack of choosing precisely those things that are worst for t
Way to go JK Rowling and Dan! (Johnny Depp, and Orpah, that’s cool too!) =D