Just two movies but $19m for Watts

By Davud Hirst
Dec 14, 2011 Canberra Times

Naomi Watts may have had a quiet year when it comes to movie releases but that hasn't stopped the King Kong star from becoming Australia's highest earning actor for 2011.

A basketballer took top spot in the BRW Top 50 Sports Earners list with NBA star Andrew Bogut moving up from second with annual earnings of $13 million.

British-born Watts came third in BRW's annual Top 50 Entertainers rich list, earning $19.1 million for the year despite having only two films released this year - J. Edgar and Dream House.

Watts, who beat high-profile male actors Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe, cashed in with advertising campaigns for Pantene, Thierry Mulger and Ann Taylor.

Nicole Kidman was the next best placed actor, coming in fifth with $18.6 million.

BRW editor Kate Mills admitted that many people were surprised that Watts was in the top five of the Top 50 Entertainers list.

"A lot of people have said 'How can this be?' Earnings are volatile for an actor. What they try to do is develop their brand to enable them to secure endorsement deals. She endorses Ann Taylor which are big in the US. Watts uses her star power in the States and Japan," she said.

"Female stars get better endorsement deals - like clothing brands and perfume. They are made for endorsements."