I’m not really sure what "influential" means in the context of Forbes‘ new list of the 10 most influential stars. Apparently, it means most trustworthy as a spokesperson (or potential spokesperson) for some off-screen product or philanthropic or political cause. I mean, everyone loves James Earl Jones (No. 9, pictured right), but has he actually influenced people to watch CNN just because it’s his voice telling you that, um, you’re already watching CNN?
Look at the list as a whole, however, and a trend emerges. Four of the 10 stars on the list are African-American men (including Denzel Washington at No. 1, pictured center), and two of them (Jones and Morgan Freeman, pictured left) have played the president of the United States. Could this "influential" thing is more subliminal and far-reaching than even Forbes had imagined? Just sayin’…
More on Forbes‘ celebrity lists:
Forbes‘ 2008 Top-Earning Dead Celebrities list
Forbes‘ 2008 Most Overpaid Celebrities list
Forbes‘ 2008 Celebrity 100 Power list
Forbes‘ 2007 Most Overpaid Celebrities list
Forbes‘ 2007 Top-Earning Dead Celebrities list
Forbes‘ Ultimate Star Payback list
Forbes‘ 2007 Celebrity 100 Power list
Forbes‘ 2006 Top-Earning Dead Celebrities list
Forbes‘ 10 Most Trustworthy Celebrities list
Forbes‘ 2006 Celebrity 100 Power list
Forbes‘ 15 wealthiest fictional characters list
Forbes‘ 2005 Top-Earning Dead Celebrities list
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Hmmm….
I agree with most of them – i think these stars are influential in that they make me see a movie (or CONSIDER) seeing a movie just because they’re in it. But Angelina Jolie? Really? And Robert DeNiro? What about Ellen? Brad Pitt even? Will Ferrell maybe?
Is this a joke?
James Earl Jones at number 9? What a crock! And even though I really enjoy many of the movies Freeman is in, I don’t think he is one of the top ten most influential stars today. Forbes thinks it has spotted a trend.
It seems odd that there are only two women on the list. I’m certain Tina Fey has had considerably more influence in the past year than James Earl Jones and Robert DeNiro combined. And while their careers haven’t been the most exciting as of late, Drew Barrymore and Natalie Portman have done perhaps just as much to help the world as Angelina Jolie, minus the UN title and high-profile adoptions.
Maybe they go confused and this is the list of 1998’s Most Influential Celebrities.
Sometimes the most influential stars are the ones you rarely see.
Looking over this list, I have to agree with Gary Susman. Influential in what way exactly? And to whom? It seems more than likely just another attempt by the media to endorse the celebs that they themselves have set as the status quo for our society. Angelina Jolie? George Clooney? Seriously? Does Forbes think so little of the public masses that they contend any of us are in any way seriously influenced by what any celeb does or says? Hello?
Temporary Amnesia Question: When did James Earl Jones play president of the United States?
I like the people on the list minus Angelina but I don’t know how accurate this list is anymore. I don’t see how most on the list are influential anymore. I can see if you had them on the list with other younger actors then maybe.
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