At one point during her acceptance speech for best actress at the recent Academy Awards, Frances McDormand asked all of the female nominees across all categories to stand. To spur the audience into action she addressed movie legend Meryl Streep: “Meryl, if you do it, everybody else will.”
This small moment helped illustrate the respect and authority of one Hollywood figure. No doubt, Streep has maintained an air of authority and propriety since her rise to superstardom in the late 70s and early 80s. Yet is she the most powerful woman in entertainment?
To identify the person who holds that honor, 24/7 Wall St. has created a list of the most powerful women in entertainment. We have created an index based on a number of metrics, including net worth and online popularity. The resulting list also includes relevant data such as the number of filmed roles each has performed.
Click here to see the most powerful women in entertainment.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.
Source: Jemal Countess / Getty Images
50. Frances McDormand
> Acting credits: 63
> Net worth: $30 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 3,408,654
> Most recent appearance: Isle of Dogs (2018)
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Source: Gage Skidmore / Flickr
49. Sigourney Weaver
> Acting credits: 83
> Net worth: $50 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 1,988,691
> Most recent appearance: Doc Martin (2015-2017)
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Source: Mike Coppola / Getty Images
48. Sarah Jessica Parker
> Acting credits: 62
> Net worth: $100 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 2,274,871
> Most recent appearance: Divorce (2016-2018)
Source: Alex Wong / Getty Images
47. Elizabeth Banks
> Acting credits: 84
> Net worth: $30 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 2,362,627
> Most recent appearance: Pitch Perfect 3 (2017)
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Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images
46. Whoopi Goldberg
> Acting credits: 171
> Net worth: $45 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 2,130,610
> Most recent appearance: Sensitive Men (2018)
Source: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
45. Sally Field
> Acting credits: 64
> Net worth: $55 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 3,042,485
> Most recent appearance: Little Evil (2017)
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Source: Vittorio Zunino Celotto / Getty Images
44. Emma Stone
> Acting credits: 42
> Net worth: $28 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 4,091,847
> Most recent appearance: Battle of the Sexes (2017)
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Source: Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images
43. Sharon Stone
> Acting credits: 135
> Net worth: $60 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 1,971,715
> Most recent appearance: Mosaic (2017-2018)
Source: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images
42. Sofía Vergara
> Acting credits: 42
> Net worth: $140 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 2,717,671
> Most recent appearance: Modern Family (2009-2019)
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Source: Nicholas Hunt / Getty Images
41. Kristen Stewart
> Acting credits: 50
> Net worth: $70 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 3,384,800
> Most recent appearance: Lizzie (2018)
Source: Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images
40. Judi Dench
> Acting credits: 122
> Net worth: $35 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 2,068,193
> Most recent appearance: Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
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Source: Vivien Killilea / Getty Images
39. Allison Janney
> Acting credits: 120
> Net worth: $4 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 2,476,108
> Most recent appearance: Break a Hip (2015-2018)
Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images
38. Gwyneth Paltrow
> Acting credits: 56
> Net worth: $60 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 2,903,921
> Most recent appearance: Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Source: Jason Kempin / Getty Images
37. Anne Hathaway
> Acting credits: 45
> Net worth: $35 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 3,012,996
> Most recent appearance: Colossal (2016)
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Source: Andy L / Flickr
36. Kirsten Dunst
> Acting credits: 80
> Net worth: $25 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 3,233,879
> Most recent appearance: Drunk History (2018)
Source: Jemal Countess / Getty Images for IFP
35. Winona Ryder
> Acting credits: 63
> Net worth: $18 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 4,911,912
> Most recent appearance: Stranger Things (2016-2019)
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Source: Matthias Nareyek / Getty Images
34. Uma Thurman
> Acting credits: 63
> Net worth: $45 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 2,618,545
> Most recent appearance: Imposters (2017)
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Source: Yui Mok - Pool / Getty Images
33. Helen Mirren
> Acting credits: 130
> Net worth: $50 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 2,512,288
> Most recent appearance: Winchester (2018)
Source: Earl Gibson III / Getty Images
32. Halle Berry
> Acting credits: 52
> Net worth: $80 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 3,078,400
> Most recent appearance: Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)
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Source: BAKOUNINE / Shutterstock.com
31. Amy Adams
> Acting credits: 57
> Net worth: $60 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 2,825,877
> Most recent appearance: Sharp Objects (2018)
Source: Andreas Rentz / Getty Images
30. Helena Bonham Carter
> Acting credits: 94
> Net worth: $30 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 2,375,054
> Most recent appearance: The Crown (2018)
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Source: John Phillips / Getty Images
29. Kate Winslet
> Acting credits: 55
> Net worth: $45 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 3,489,641
> Most recent appearance: Wonder Wheel (2017)
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Source: Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images
28. Salma Hayek
> Acting credits: 75
> Net worth: $85 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 3,656,717
> Most recent appearance: The Hitman’s Bodyguard (2017)
Source: Tim P. Whitby / Getty Images
27. Michelle Pfeiffer
> Acting credits: 61
> Net worth: $80 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 3,143,388
> Most recent appearance: Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
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Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
26. Julianne Moore
> Acting credits: 89
> Net worth: $50 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 2,043,085
> Most recent appearance: Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)
Source: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for Glamour
25. Drew Barrymore
> Acting credits: 74
> Net worth: $125 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 2,591,229
> Most recent appearance: Santa Clarita Diet (2017-2018)
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Source: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images
24. Courteney Cox
> Acting credits: 63
> Net worth: $120 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 3,524,514
> Most recent appearance: Drunk History (2014-2016)
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Source: Andrea Raffin / Shutterstock.com
23. Susan Sarandon
> Acting credits: 151
> Net worth: $50 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 2,485,333
> Most recent appearance: Jay-Z: Legacy (2017)
Source: Anthony Harvey / Getty Images for BFI
22. Keira Knightley
> Acting credits: 56
> Net worth: $60 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 3,786,942
> Most recent appearance: Colette (2018)
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Source: Disney | ABC Television Group / Flickr
21. Robin Wright
> Acting credits: 54
> Net worth: $65 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 4,010,004
> Most recent appearance: House of Cards (2013-2018)
Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images
20. Demi Moore
> Acting credits: 60
> Net worth: $150 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 3,175,076
> Most recent appearance: Empire (2017)
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Source: Jesse Grant / Getty Images
19. Mila Kunis
> Acting credits: 63
> Net worth: $55 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 6,129,519
> Most recent appearance: Family Guy (1999-2018)
Source: Joe Maher / Getty Images
18. Jodie Foster
> Acting credits: 80
> Net worth: $100 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 2,822,110
> Most recent appearance: Conan (2016)
Source: Evening Standard / Getty Images
17. Meryl Streep
> Acting credits: 81
> Net worth: $90 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 3,946,087
> Most recent appearance: Big Little Lies (2018)
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Source: John Sciulli / Getty Images for Perry Ellis
16. Miley Cyrus
> Acting credits: 54
> Net worth: $160 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 5,534,904
> Most recent appearance: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images
15. Reese Witherspoon
> Acting credits: 58
> Net worth: $120 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 5,114,322
> Most recent appearance: Big Little Lies (2017-2019)
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Source: Theo Wargo / Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival
14. Emma Watson
> Acting credits: 21
> Net worth: $80 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 6,168,090
> Most recent appearance: The Circle (2017)
Source: Stuart C. Wilson / Getty Images
13. Cate Blanchett
> Acting credits: 69
> Net worth: $85 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 3,371,590
> Most recent appearance: Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Source: Theo Wargo / Getty Images
12. Cameron Diaz
> Acting credits: 54
> Net worth: $140 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 3,505,497
> Most recent appearance: Annie (2014)
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Source: Neilson Barnard / Getty Images
11. Natalie Portman
> Acting credits: 59
> Net worth: $60 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 4,622,870
> Most recent appearance: Annihilation (2018)
Source: Phillip Faraone / Getty Images
10. Charlize Theron
> Acting credits: 54
> Net worth: $130 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 5,737,569
> Most recent appearance: Gringo (2018)
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Source: Bennett Raglin / Getty Images
9. Nicole Kidman
> Acting credits: 81
> Net worth: $130 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 5,222,137
> Most recent appearance: Big Little Lies (2017-2019)
Source: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
8. Jennifer Lawrence
> Acting credits: 30
> Net worth: $120 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 6,720,818
> Most recent appearance: Red Sparrow (2018)
Source: Jaguar PS / Shutterstock.com
7. Sandra Bullock
> Acting credits: 57
> Net worth: $200 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 3,594,281
> Most recent appearance: Our Brand Is Crisis (2015)
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Source: Jonathan Leibson / Getty Images
6. Julia Roberts
> Acting credits: 60
> Net worth: $190 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 4,223,610
> Most recent appearance: Homecoming (2018)
Source: Dia Dipasupil / Getty Images
5. Gal Gadot
> Acting credits: 24
> Net worth: $8 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 14,861,564
> Most recent appearance: Justice League (2017)
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Source: Ververidis Vasilis / Shutterstock.com
4. Angelina Jolie
> Acting credits: 48
> Net worth: $160 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 5,336,926
> Most recent appearance: Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)
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Source: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
3. Scarlett Johansson
> Acting credits: 61
> Net worth: $100 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 6,348,413
> Most recent appearance: Isle of Dogs (2018)
Source: Gage Skidmore / Flickr
2. Jessica Alba
> Acting credits: 60
> Net worth: $350 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 2,988,059
> Most recent appearance: El Camino Christmas (2017)
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Source: Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images
1. Jennifer Aniston
> Acting credits: 61
> Net worth: $220 million
> Yearly Wikipedia page views: 7,239,777
> Most recent appearance: The Yellow Birds (2017)
As is the case in so many aspects of life, money is one determinant of influence. The majority of women on our list can ask for and be paid huge sums of money for their talents — or at least they were able to at some point in their careers. Forty-eight of the actors are worth $10 million or more. Of those, 18 are worth $100 million or more, including nine of the top 10 most powerful women.
Most of the actors on the list acquired their wealth through a steady body of work. Among the most prolific are Whoopi Goldberg, who has 171 acting credits to her name; Susan Sarandon, who has 151; and Sharon Stone, who has 135. The entertainer with the fewest credits is 27-year old Emma Watson, who has so far accumulated 21 acting credits.
While it always takes some amount of time in the industry to gather power, fame, and fortune, not all have been in the limelight for long. Gal Gadot – who solidified her place as one of Hollywood’s most in demand actors with her recent role as Wonder Woman – has only been working for 11 years. Jennifer Lawrence has only been at it for one year longer.
At the other end of the spectrum is Judi Dench – who appeared on the television series “Hilda Lessways” in 1959 – and Sally Field – who had an uncredited role in 1962’s “Moon Pilot” and appeared on the TV series “Gidget” four years later.
To determine the most powerful women in entertainment, 24/7 Wall St. created a composite index score based on IMDb (Internet Movie Database) popularity, acting credits, seniority (the number of years the actor has been working), net worth, and annual Wikipedia page views. The index for IMDb popularity was created based on the votes an actor received for every acting credit on IMDb. If an actor was in an episode of TV, and the individual TV episode has an individual rating and vote count, that was incorporated into the Index. If only the TV show as a whole has a rating and vote count, then the actor was awarded votes based on the total votes the TV show received divided by the total number of appearances in the TV show. If the actor is one of the leads in a movie or TV episode, they received a full weight, otherwise they received a half weight. Seniority and acting credits are also from IMDb. Wikipedia page views in the past year (as of March 19, 2018) were determined by Wikimedia Pageviews Analysis tool, and the net worth of each actor is from Celebrity Net Worth.com.
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