Denzel Washington named Top Money-Making Star of 2012

Wednesday January 2, 2013 6:30 PM By Kirthana Ramisetti

Photo credit: AP | Denzel Washington, Mount Vernon: Denzel Washington arrives for the Los Angeles premiere of "Flight" at the Cinerama Dome in Los Angeles. The movie premieres Nov. 2. Washington is a Mount Vernon native. (Oct. 23, 2012)

Denzel Washington has been voted the Top Money-Making Star of 2012 by Quigley Publishing Company’s 81st Annual Poll of Motion Picture Exhibitors. The Mount Vernon native has been named to the poll eight times before, but this is the first time he has been the top vote-getter.

Quigley's, which compiles historical data and analysis related to the entertainment industry, annually polls movie theater owners on whom they believe are the biggest box office stars. According to company's press release, “Exhibitors felt Washington was responsible for more traffic to movie theaters than any other Hollywood star based on his performances in ‘Flight’ and ‘Safe House.’”

“Safe House,” which co-starred Bedford resident Ryan Reynolds, was released in February 2012 and grossed $126 million domestically, according to Box Office Mojo. “Flight,” for which Washington has received a Golden Globe nomination, came out in theaters in November and has earned $91 million domestically to date.

Former Vassar student Anne Hathaway, who was ranked No. 2 in the Quigley poll and the only woman to crack the top 10, made the list due to her roles in the hit films “The Dark Knight Returns” and “Les Miserables.” Hathaway also received a Golden Globe nod for her role in the movie musical.

Daniel Craig, who wed actress Rachel Weisz in Stone Ridge in 2011 and with whom he reportedly owns a home in Saugerties, is ranked no. 6 based on his starring role in the latest James Bond blockbuster “Skyfall.”

The list of top 10 money-making stars of 2012:

1. Denzel Washington
2. Anne Hathaway
3. Hugh Jackman
4. Mark Wahlberg
5. Johnny Depp
6. Daniel Craig
7. Daniel Day-Lewis
8. Brad Pitt
9. Leonardo DiCaprio
10. Robert Downey Jr. 

Tags: Mount Vernon , Poughkeepsie , Saugerties , Stone Ridge , Denzel Washington , Anne Hathaway , Daniel Craig , Quigley Poll , Top Money-Making Stars , movies