What Celebrities Says in November

This prolific entertainer is on a lot of people's minds these days, but not just for his holiday cheer or his critically acclaimed new album. Find out about his never-ending beefs with a politician and a pop star, and learn what other water-cooler topics had the rest of our tastemakers' tongues wagging this month.

Madonna

Madonna took time out from her latest business ventures teen fashion and fitness to appear on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
She spoke out against a recent rash of anti-gay bullying.
"The concept that we are torturing teenagers because they're gay … It's unfathomable. It's like lynching black people or, you know, Hitler exterminating Jews. … Sorry if I sound like I'm going on a rampage right now, but this is America. The land of the free and the home of the brave ..."

Bill Clinton

Former President Clinton has been getting an earful from his daughter, Chelsea, who's trying to broaden his musical horizons.
"You know, my daughter introduced me to rap and hip-hop music after I said some things she thought were not very smart. She said, 'Dad, you need to listen, all these people are smart.'"

Kanye West

Apparently, the rapper-producer still has a lot to say about his widely publicized awards show run-in with pop star Taylor Swift.
"Taylor never came to my defense at any interview … And (she) rode the waves and rode it and rode it."

Barbara Bush

The former first lady has never seemed very outspoken. If anything, she might be pegged as bookish. But in an interview with Larry King, she shared her rather blunt thoughts on Sarah Palin.
"I sat next to her once. I thought she was beautiful. And she's very happy in Alaska. I hope she'll stay there."

Eva Longoria Parker

The petite prime-time actress announced that she and her NBA player husband are going their separate ways.
"It is with great sadness that after seven years together, Tony and I have decided to divorce. We love each other deeply and pray for each other's happiness."

Janet Jackson

When interviewed for a newsstand staple, the pop icon revisited haunting memories from her early TV acting career.
Reportedly, her maturing wasn't in the script.
"It immediately makes you think, 'The way I am isn't good enough.' That's the message that it sent to me: 'The way you look now isn't right ...' It would make me sad. It wouldn't make me mad. It would hurt."

George W. Bush

Rapper Kanye West lobbed a remark at former President Bush in 2005 that reportedly still sticks him.
"I faced a lot of criticism as president … But the suggestion that I was racist because of the response to Katrina represented an all-time low."

Anne Hathaway

In an interview about her latest film, Hathaway turned diva-esque in an attempt to help her co-star, who was facing tricky questions about his possible new romance.
"I've been Jake's onscreen love interest for years ... You keep the conversation to me and only me, otherwise I'm going to get nasty!"

Warren Buffett

Billionaire CEO Buffett announced to the news media that he isn't afraid to dig deeper into his own coffers at tax time and thinks others who are wealthy should do the same.
"The rich are always going to say that, you know, just give us more money and we'll go out and spend more and then it will all trickle down to the rest of you. But that has not worked the last 10 years, and I hope the American public is catching on."

Willow Smith

Riding the wave of her hit single, this daughter of a box office titan and a stylish star seems to be enjoying her new status. Though she's got a recording contract at the ripe old age of 10, she does have boundaries, she told this magazine.
"I can't do whatever I want … Mommy has to say it's OK."

George Clooney

When another actor was given the title of People's "Sexiest Man Alive," the magazine turned to one of the two-time title-holders for his reaction. He was a good sport.
"I'm very happy for him," he said. "I'm also happy that it's not Brad."

Hillary Clinton

Travelers across the country have been up in arms about new TSA protocols. The secretary of state admitted she would avoid them if she could, but she tried to remain diplomatic when discussing them on-air.
"Striking the right balance is what this is about. And I am absolutely confident that our security experts are gonna keep trying to get it better and less intrusive and more precise."

Sylvester Stallone

Apparently back in fighting form after an accident sustained while shooting his latest film, the tough guy actor tweeted some jabs at President Barack Obama on Election Day.
"I voted did you? Gotta get the Manchurian Candidate out of the drivers seat before were ALL soaring off a cliff into Oblivion ... Be smart."

Will Ferrell

For the second year in a row, funnyman Ferrell has topped this magazine's list of the Most Overpaid. His response to the news?
"Isn't that the whole point? Aren't we all striving to be overpaid?"
His place on the list was surely secured by his hit animated release and clearly not hampered by this setback.

Tim Lincecum

"A lot of orange and black … And hopefully, a lot of alcohol."
That was how the San Francisco Giants pitcher predicted fans would celebrate his team's big achievement, a historic one at that. But their reaction ended up being quite a bit different than he expected.

Courtney Love

It would seem the former rock frontwoman is seeking addiction advice from elsewhere in the rock world.
"I am the smoker and the curser, but I am trying to learn about taking care of myself … I have friends that are growing old and freaking out and I am, like, getting hotter."
Now, perhaps she'll seek legal and parenting advice, as well.

Nancy Pelosi

In an interview, the outgoing speaker of the House had some comments about her successor, particularly about his sensitive side.
"You know what? He is known to cry. He cries sometimes when we're having a debate on bills. If I cry, it's about the personal loss of a friend or something like that."

Cher

The veteran entertainer offered some words of wisdom to Christina Aguilera, her co-star in a recently released movie.
"You know, honey, husbands come and go, but I am still Cher at the end of the day."
The advice comes amid talk about Aguilera's marital woes and alleged dalliances.

Conan O'Brien

The lanky late-night comedian indicated that he hasn't quite buried the hatchet when he spoke to this magazine about one day having his frenemy as a guest.
"He can come as the musical guest, because that I want to see; no one knows he has an operatic range … No, there are certain things I will not do, regardless of the price."
Though O'Brien has settled into a new talk show home, he seems to still harbor feelings about a switcheroo at his old network.

The Situation

The attention-seeking reality TV star has more on his mind than his abdominals, according to a recent interview.
"Obviously it's a blessing -- the women and the money and the fame, but at the same time it's -- it's actually very lonely."

Roberto Baggio

When he accepted this esteemed award, the retired Italian soccer great addressed the Nobel Prize laureates gathered in Japan:
"I have lost three World Cups, all on penalties ... If you'll allow me this, it really gets on my nerves."
"Il Divin Codino" was honored for, among other efforts, his altruistic work in Haiti.

Lori Berenson

After spending years in a prison in Peru, the convicted U.S. activist ended her sentence this month, to the dismay of many in that country.
"I totally understand that people feel a strong rejection to someone who represents terrorism. The problem is, I may not be the person they paint me to be, and they'll never know that."

Celebrities in the Family Business

It’s not uncommon for sons and daughters to follow in their dad’s or mom’s footsteps – think Willow and Jaden and Ken Griffey Jr. But for three generations of a family to participate in sports, business and politics or entertainment is less common. Here’s a look at some of them.

The Barrymores

The Boones

The Bushes

The Lees

The McMahons

The Kennedys

The Coles

The Matthews

The Johnsons

The Lithgows

The Andrettis

The Trumps

Before They Were Famous

The homecoming king. The cheerleader. The CIA intern? You may be surprised to find out what some celebrities were up to in high school and college.

Movie stars

Michael Douglas, who is fighting cancer and is expected to recover, is said to have held an unusual position in his school years. Answer.

Jamie Lee Curtis, who stars in a movie about high school frenemies, has said she was not the most popular girl in high school. Answer.

Sandra Bullock, an Academy Award winner and new mother, is said to have been a popular class clown in high school and dated a football player.

Politicians and judges

First lady Michelle Obama was salutatorian of her class and attended school with a famous daughter. Answer.

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg played this instrument and her mother reportedly died the day before her graduation. Answer.

Sen. John McCain was known by an interesting high school nickname and went on to join the Navy

TV stars

Reality TV star Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi battled an eating disorder and reportedly wasn’t nearly as wild as she is today. Answer.

Clip show host and sitcom star Joel McHale quit his college rowing team then bluffed his way into another sport. Answer.

Blair Underwood, star of a sci-fi drama, got some practice for his latest role back in high school.

Musicians

Madonna, who grew up outside Detroit, was a straight-A student and earned a college scholarship. Answer.

Country singer Darius Rucker, former front man for this band, was involved in his church and school choirs. Answer.

Tom DeLonge, guitarist for this rock band, was expelled in high school but later returned and graduated.

TV Journalists

Anderson Cooper, a CNN anchor known by this nickname, spent part of his senior year in Africa before heading off to Yale. Answer.

Former CBS news anchor Dan Rather, who now works for another network, was a member of the Caballeros social club. Answer.

“Good Morning America” host and breast cancer survivor Robin Roberts was a popular multi-sport athlete in Mississippi.

Comedians

Banjo-playing funnyman Steve Martin, who recently joined Twitter, spent his teen years doing something completely different. Answer.

Comedian and satellite radio host Rosie O’Donnell was also voted class clown. Answer.

“The Daily Show” host Jon Stewart, who recently held a highly anticipated and well-attended rally, has been cracking people up since high school.

Hollywood's Best Actors & Actresses For The Buck

 

Hollywood's Best Actors & Actresses For The Buck

In Hollywood it's all about your quote. But what do the top actresses earn for the studios in return for their multimillion-dollar salaries? We crunched the numbers using salaries, box-office earnings and film budgets. The result: an average profit number for every $1 the studio paid the actor.

No. 1: Anne Hathaway

For the sake of our return-on-investment list, being a woman in Hollywood is a good thing. They tend to earn than male actors, less so when their films hit, they offer a good return. Hathaway lands at the top of our list thanks to Alice in Wonderland, which earned $1 billion at the global box office. One of her smaller films, Bride Wars, was a modest hit, bringing in $115 million, but her ranking benefits from the film's low budget and her low salary. For every dollar Hathaway was paid, her films earned an average of $64.

No. 2: Cate Blanchett

The actress has played the female lead in two recent high-grossing films: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Robin Hood (the latter of which brought in $310 million, despite a weak opening). In both cases she earned significantly less than her male co-stars, which is why Blanchett makes our top 10 list. For every dollar Blanchett was paid, her films earned an average of $27.

No. 3 (tie): Jennifer Aniston

Aniston earns a spot on our list this year despite the perception that her films haven't been performing well. Two of the films we counted this year, The Bounty Hunter and He's Just Not That Into You, performed well at the box office, making her a decent return on investment (despite Love Happens, which brought in only $36 million). For every dollar Aniston was paid, her films earned an average of $21.

No. 3 (tie): Meryl Streep

The actress proves again and again that age and gender do not determine box-office draw. Mamma Mia earned $610 million at the global box office; It's Complicated brought in $220 million. If Streep is able to leverage her box office success to get salaries closer to those of her male peers, she'll likely work her way off of our list. For every dollar Streep was paid, her films earned an average of $21

No. 5: Sarah Jessica Parker

When it comes to Sex and the City movies, Sarah Jessica Parker is a great investment. In other movies, not so much. Her 2009 film Did You Hear About the Morgans earned an anemic $85 million at the global box office. Compare that with her two Sex and the City movies, which have earned a combined $705 million. For every dollar Parker was paid, her films earned an average of $17.

No. 6: Angelina Jolie

When Jolie stars in action films like Wanted, she brings in big box office for the studios. She recently proved her action-star prowess again with Salt, which earned $290 million at the global box office (but which came out too late to be considered in our calculations for this list). Her smaller prestige pics don't perform as well, though. A Mighty Heart earned only $19 million at the box office worldwide. For every dollar Jolie was paid, her films earned an average of $14.

No. 7 (tie): Kate Hudson

Hudson has become the go-to actress for a certain brand of romantic comedy. Films like Bride Wars and Fool's Gold don't cost too much to make, and Hudson earns a reasonable salary, so she's a good return on investment. Next up for the actress: a comedy about cancer, called A Little Bit of Heaven. For every dollar she was paid, her films earned an average of $13.

No. 7 (tie): Cameron Diaz

Diaz rakes in millions of dollars as the voice of Princess Fiona in the Shrek movies. That franchise has earned $3 billion at the global box office. But her live-action films--the ones that count for this list--haven't performed as well. Still, thanks to the comedy What Happens in Vegas, she squeaks onto our Top 10 list. For every dollar Diaz was paid, her films earned an average of $13.

No. 9: Reese Witherspoon

Witherspoon hasn't been seen on screen since 2008's Four Christmases, but that film was the kind of sweet-spot romantic comedy the actress should keep aiming for. It brought in $162 million at the box office, making up for flops like Rendition. Her latest film, How Do You Know, looks likely to be another of her popular romantic comedies, and could help improve her return-on-investment number. For every dollar Witherspoon was paid, her films earned an average of $12.

No. 10: Nicole Kidman

Kidman might not be seen as much of a movie star in the U.S. these days, but her films perform well internationally. The Golden Compass earned only $70 million here but $300 million abroad; Australia tripled its domestic take overseas. But both of these films were also expensive productions. To boost her standing on our list she'd need to take a pay cut and appear in some moderately budgeted films. For every dollar Kidman was paid, her films earned an average of $11.

In Hollywood, it's all about your quote. But we decided to look at what the top actors really earn the studios for their multimillion-dollar salaries. We crunched the numbers using salaries, box-office earnings and film budgets. The result: an average profit number for every $1 the studio paid the actor.

Shia LaBeouf

$81
LaBeouf tops our list for the second year in a row thanks to his relatively low-paid work in high-earning films like Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and the second Transformers movie. As his box office grows so will his quote, which means it will be harder for him to stay at the top of our list unless his films earn proportionally more money.

Anne Hathaway

$64

Daniel Radcliffe

$61
The Harry Potter movies are the kind of high-budget films that would usually hurt an actor on this list unless he was earning under $10 million total. But Radcliffe lands in third place because the films earn so much money. The entire franchise has so far brought in $5.4 billion at the global box office making his growing salary seem like a drop in the bucket.

Robert Downey Jr.

$33
It wasn't so long ago that Downey was a Hollywood pariah because of his drug and alcohol problems. That helped shrink his quote when he started his comeback in 2008 with the first Iron Man. Since then he's starred in some of the highest-grossing films of the past few years, including Sherlock Holmes and Iron Man 2 while his payday has stayed relatively low.

Cate Blanchett

$27

Jennifer Aniston

$21

Meryl Streep

$21

Johnny Depp

$18
Depp is the rare actor on our list who earns more than almost every actor in Hollywood but still manages to offer a good return on investment. That's because his films do phenomenally. Alice in Wonderland has earned $1 billion. Public Enemies brought in $215 million. As long as he continues to be a major draw overseas and his films keep performing, Depp will continue to get one of the highest paydays in Hollywood.

Nicolas Cage

$17
Cage makes our list mostly thanks to the 2009 film Knowing, which earned a healthy $184 million on an estimated budget of $50 million. The budget was able to stay low because the producers went with Cage over someone who would have cost much more like Will Smith or Johnny Depp.

Sarah Jessica Parker

$17