NEW YORK, Dec 8: She may be busy nursing twins, but "Pretty Woman" Julia Roberts is still the biggest draw in Hollywood, earning 20 million dollars a film.

Julia Roberts, 37, topped the Hollywood Reporter's annual list of highest-paid actresses, edging out Cameron Diaz, who also commands a 20-million-dollar fee, but placed second in the list because of her absence from the big screen this year.

The "Charlie's Angels" star's only "appearance" this year was lending her voice to the animated feature "Shrek 2". On the other hand, Ms Roberts, who gave birth to twins Hazel and Phinnaeus last week, is all over American billboards with two new releases in US cinemas, "Closer" and "Ocean's Twelve".

Cameron Diaz will have a chance to claim the top spot next year, with Julia Roberts saying she intends to take time off to care for her new family. Third on the list was Australian Nicole Kidman, who pulls in 15 million dollars a film and was judged by the Hollywood Reporter to have more star power than Reese Wither spoon and Drew Barrymore who commanded similar salaries.

Taking the sixth berth with 14 million dollars was 2002 Oscar winner Halle Berry, whose star waned slightly this year with a critical roasting for the big budget "Catwoman" which flopped at the box office.

"Miss Congeniality" Sandra Bullock and Angelina Jolie, currently on view in another epic flop "Alexander", were next with cheques of between 12 million and 15 million dollars per film.

"Bridget Jones" star Renee Zellweger ranked number nine, while the hapless Jennifer Lopez - suffering a run of box-office duds - slipped to 10th place with a paltry 12-million-dollar price tag.

The most powerful woman in Hollywood, according to the list, was Anne Sweeney, co-chair of Media Networks for the Walt Disney Co and president of Disney-ABC Television Group. -AFP

Opinion

Editorial

Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....
Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...