Opening Paragraph:
As we look on the rich history of cinema, it’s fascinating to see how the landscape has evolved over the years. One of the constants, however, has been the presence of certain stars who have consistently drawn audiences to theatres. In retrospect, the Quigley Publishing ‘s 81st Annual Poll of Motion Picture Exhibitors in 2012 was a pivotal moment in Hollywood, as it marked Denzel Washington’s first win as the Top Money-Making Star of the year. This post takes a nostalgic trip ” target=”_blank”> to that year, revisiting the top ten money-making stars and the rising Stars of Tomorrow, as voted by motion picture theatre owners and film buyers.
Content:
A Look at the Top Money-Making Stars of 2012
Denzel Washington was voted the Top Money-Making Star of 2012 in Quigley Publishing Company’s 81st Annual Poll of Motion Picture Exhibitors. This marked Washington’s eighth appearance in the Quigley Poll, and his first win. Exhibitors felt Washington was responsible for more traffic to movie theatres than any other Hollywood star that year based on his performances in “Flight” and “Safe House.”
Washington became the fourth black to win the Poll, joining Will Smith (2005), Eddie Murphy (1987), and Sidney Poitier (1968). In the 81 years of the Poll’s existence, eight women had been voted first in the Top Ten a total of sixteen times, with Julie Andrews, Doris Day, Shirley Temple, and Marie Dressler winning multiple times.
About the Quigley Poll
The Quigley Poll, conducted each year since 1932, is an annual survey of motion picture theatre owners and film buyers, which asks them to vote for the ten stars that they believe generated the most box-office revenue for their theatres during the year. It has been long regarded as one of the most reliable indicators of a Star’s real box-office draw because the selections are made by professionals whose livelihood depends on choosing the films and actors that will bring audiences to their theatres. The Quigley Poll results are published annually in Quigley Publishing Company’s International Motion Picture Almanac and on their website: www.quigleypublishing.com.
2012’s Top Ten and Stars of Tomorrow
The only woman in the Top Ten that year, Anne Hathaway, placed second with her roles in “Les Miserables” and as Catwoman in “The Dark Knight Rises.” Hugh Jackman and Mark Wahlberg, both with their initial Poll appearance, were third and fourth respectively. Rounding out the Top Ten were Johnny Depp, Daniel Craig, Daniel Day-Lewis, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Robert Downey, Jr.
Looking at the Stars of Tomorrow for 2012, the winners were Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who appeared in “The Dark Knight Rises,” “Looper,” “Lincoln,” and “Premium Rush,” and Jennifer Lawrence, who had breakthrough performances in “The Hunger Games” and “Silver Linings Playbook.”
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