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

ICJ rebuke
Updated 26 May, 2024

ICJ rebuke

The reason for Israel’s criminal behaviour is that it is protected by its powerful Western friends.
Hot spells
26 May, 2024

Hot spells

WITH Pakistan already dealing with a heatwave that has affected 26 districts since May 21, word from the climate...
Defiant stance
26 May, 2024

Defiant stance

AT a time when the country is in talks with the IMF for a medium-term loan crucial to bolstering the fragile ...
More pledges
Updated 25 May, 2024

More pledges

There needs to be continuity in economic policies, while development must be focused on bringing prosperity to the masses.
Pemra overreach
25 May, 2024

Pemra overreach

IT seems, at best, a misguided measure and, at worst, an attempt to abuse regulatory power to silence the media. A...
Enduring threat
25 May, 2024

Enduring threat

THE death this week of journalist Nasrullah Gadani, who succumbed to injuries after being attacked by gunmen, is yet...