Money is at the heart of show business…shoot the heart of all business.  Though performers may covet the Emmy, Grammy or Oscar, the symbolic relic of acceptance among the experts, the true decision makers cast their ballots at the box office, music store (iTunes), or at the remote.  The Cover story in this Month’s issue of Black Enterprise features “The Top 25 Moneymakers in Hollywood.” Using what it deems the most “comprehensive and qualitative measurement of black clout in entertainment”, their trademark Bankability Index determines who the King (Or Queen) of the Hill in Hollywood.

The Index factors in box office revenues, television ads, estimated salaries, name recognition, and major award wins and nominations to determine their ranking.  “The result, reports BE Editorial Director Alan Hughes, “demonstrates that money is the key determinant when it comes to who gets to make plays and who’s forced to sit n the sidelines in Tinseltown.”

1. Taking the BE top spot is perennial media powerhouse Oprah Winfrey.  With more than 40 Emmys, over a billion in the bank and the rank of CEO of top media corporation she deserves it.
2. Next is Shonda Rhimes, screenwriter, director and producer of television series Grey’s Anatomy, its spin-off Private Practice among others.  This was actually kind of surprising given the fact that she’s not very well known and the quality of talent she surplanted.
3. Coming in in the three whole, earning a reported $20 million is Will Smith.  To date, his films have generated $4.9 billion worldwide.  Wow Big Tings a-gwan.
4. With a huge Box Office year featuring American Gangster which $223 million worldwide and The Great Debaters, Denzel Washington grabbed the 4 spot.
5. Halle Berry rounds off the top five.  Although her inconsistancy may be responsible for her not making the $14 million salary she earned during her Catwoman days, she still receives about $10 million per flick.

Here’s the rest of the Top 10.

6.  Jamie Foxx
7.  The Wayans Family
8.  Martin Lawrence
9.  Queen Latifah
10.  Laurence Fishburne