Most Overpaid Actor: Eddie Murphy, Followed by Katherine Heigl and Reese Witherspoon
The most overpaid actor in the world is Eddie Murphy, according to Forbes magazine. The actor has topped the list once again, and has been hotly followed by a string of Hollywood's top actresses, including Katherine Heigl, Reese Witherspoon and Sandra Bullock.
Murphy has been a Hollywood favorite since the 80's when he starred in a number of hit films. His popularity has seen him able to demand massive fees for parts over the past two decades, and according to Forbes he returns the worst box office ratio to his salary out of any actor out there.
The star of Beverly Hills Cop and Trading Places, has more recently starred in movies such as Shrek, Tower Heist and Meet Dave. According to Forbes for every dollar that Murphy commanded for his fees over his last three films, only $2.30 were returned back at the box office.
However, newcomer to the list Katherine Heigl was not far behind. She has starred in a string of popular films over recent years and has become one of Hollywood's new leading ladies. However, her films earned just $3.40 for every dollar she commanded in fees.
Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon made third on the list, returning just $3.90 for every dollar she was paid for her films. It is believed that her figures suffered due to films " How Do You Know" and this year's "This Means War" which both did not do as well as expected at the box office.
Sandra Bullock has come in fourth on the list with $5 box office return from her movies for every dollar she was paid. She had a mixed bag of movies at the box office, with the Blind Side doing reasonably well, but undermined by two other films "All About Steve" and "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" which did not do as well at the box office.
Comedy actor Jack Black came in at number five with $5.20 returned for every dollar given to him.
Here is a list of the top 10, according to Forbes magazine:
1. Eddie Murphy – Returns $2.30 for every $1 paid.
2. Katherine Heigl – Returns $3.40 for every $1 paid.
3. Reese Witherspoon – Returns $3.90 for every $1 paid.
4. Sandra Bullock – Returns $5 for every $1 paid.
5. Jack Black – Returns $5.20 for every $1 paid.
6. Nicolas Cage – Returns $6 for every $1 paid
7. Adam Sandler – Returns $6.30 for every $1 paid.
8. Denzel Washington – Returns $6.30 for every $1 paid.
9. Ben Stiller – Returns $6.50 for every $1 paid.
10. Sarah Jessica Parker – Returns $7 for every $1 paid.