NEW YORK – It’s red carpet season and the stars are getting ready for the Golden Globes and the Oscars. Some movie stars are more loved than others and this year, America’s favorite movie star is Captain Jack himself, Johnny Depp who moves up from being number 2 last year. Denzel Washington also moves up one notch this year from number 3 to number 2. And the Duke, John Wayne, moves from number 7 to number 3. John Wayne also has the distinction of being the only actor to be on this list every year since 1994.
These are some of the results of The Harris Pollยฎ of 2,331 adults surveyed online between December 6 and 13, 2010 by Harris Interactiveยฎ.
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Returning to the list after a one year absence is Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford in the number 4 spot. Also returning to the list is Lara Croft or Angelina Jolie in the number 5 spot. Forrest Gump or rather Tom Hanks is tied for 6th on the America’s favorite actor list. They shared the screen in Ocean’s 11 and they also share the 6th place with Tom Hanks โ George Clooney and Julia Roberts are also tied for number 6.
Last year’s number one, Clint Eastwood, drops 8 spots this year and is on the list at number 9. Rounding out the top ten is Miss Congeniality, Sandra Bullock at the number 10 spot, a drop from number 4 last year.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
This year there are two additions to the list from last year, which means that two actors have dropped out of the top ten. Last year she was in Julie and Julia, but this year Meryl Streep drops from the number 8 spot to out of the top ten. Morgan Freeman was in the 9th spot last year, but this year is off the top ten as well.
Analyze This
Depending on how old you are, where you live and your political leanings, you have different favorite actors. Men cite Denzel Washington as their favorite while women say it is Johnny Depp. Echo Boomers (those aged 18-33) say Johnny Depp is their favorite actor while for both Gen Xers (aged 34-45) and Baby Boomers (aged 46-64) it is Denzel and for Matures (those aged 65 and older), John Wayne is their favorite actor.
Westerners are a region that stands alone. Those who live in the East, Midwest and South all say Denzel Washington is their favorite while for Westerners, their favorite is Johnny Depp. Johnny Depp is also the favorite actor for both Republicans and Independents, but Democrats say Denzel Washington is their favorite actor. Political ideology shows differences as well with Liberals citing Johnny Depp as their favorite actor, Moderates saying it is Denzel Washington and for Conservatives John Wayne is their favorite.
TABLE 1
FAVORITE MOVIE STAR
“Who is your favorite movie star?”
Unprompted responses
Base: All adults
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
Johnny Depp
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Denzel Washington
*
4
8
10
10
*
=7
8
John Wayne
2
1
2
4
2
2
2
6
Harrison Ford
4
*
*
5
1
1
1
3
Angelina Jolie
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Tom Hanks
5
6
7
*
*
=5
6
2
George Clooney
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Julia Roberts
*
*
*
*
*
8
4
1
Clint Eastwood
1
2
4
1
=4
4
5
7
Sandra Bullock
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
10
*Not in top 10.
“=” prior to a number indicates a tie
TABLE 1, continued
FAVORITE MOVIE STAR
“Who is your favorite movie star?”
Unprompted responses
Base: All adults
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Johnny Depp
*
10
4
2
=7
3
8
2
1
Denzel Washington
7
9
6
*
1
1
1
3
2
John Wayne
6
7
7
=3
3
6
=3
7
3
Harrison Ford
4
=5
5
=3
10
*
5
*
4
Angelina Jolie
*
*
*
*
*
*
=9
*
5
Tom Hanks
1
4
1
1
2
2
7
5
=6
George Clooney
*
*
10
8
9
*
*
6
=6
Julia Roberts
3
2
3
5
=5
4
6
10
=6
Clint Eastwood
8
8
8
6
1
*
2
1
9
Sandra Bullock
10
*
*
10
*
9
*
4
10
*Not in top 10.
“=” prior to a number indicates a tie
DROPPED OUT OF TOP 10 IN 2010
Meryl Streep (#8) and Morgan Freeman (#9)
TABLE 2
WHICH MOVIE STAR IS #1 AMONG DIFFERENT GROUPS?
Group
Favorite Movie Star
Men
Denzel Washington
Women
Johnny Depp
Republican
Johnny Depp
Democrat
Denzel Washington
Independent
Johnny Depp
Conservative
John Wayne
Moderate
Denzel Washington
Liberal
Johnny Depp
Echo Boomers (18-33)
Johnny Depp
Gen X (34-45)
Denzel Washington
Baby Boomers (46-64)
Denzel Washington
Matures (65+)
John Wayne
East
Denzel Washington
Midwest
Denzel Washington
South
Denzel Washington
West
Johnny Depp