IMDB names top film stars of 2006

SEATTLE WA, USA (M&C) – Internet Movie Data Base (IMDB), the site for movies, TV, celebrities and more, Dec 21 unveiled the top 25 stars of 2006 as determined by the site’s STARmeter, which ranks celebrities’ popularity among IMDB’s more than 42 million unique monthly visitors. Johnny Depp, the 2004 and 2005 winner, once again generated the most fan interest this year, followed by headline-making couple Angelina Jolie (No. 2) and Brad Pitt (No. 4), as well as Hollywood beauties Jessica Alba (No. 3) and Scarlett Johansson (No. 5). Dropping slightly in the rankings this year were gossip column regulars Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton, sliding to the No. 7 and No. 9 spots respectively. Other notable drops in rank include Keanu Reeves, Eva Longoria, Robert De Niro, Vin Diesel, Jon Heder of 'Napoleon Dynamite' fame, and Nicole Kidman, who all lost their spots in the IMDb.com STARmeter Top 25 this year. Newcomers to the top 25 in 2006 include Jake Gyllenhaal (No. 17), Zac Efron from High School Musical (No. 19), Heath Ledger (No. 21), Bruce Willis (No. 23) and Reese Witherspoon (No. 24). After reaching the ninth spot in 2004, Kate Beckinsale dropped off the list last year before making her return to the list (No. 14) on the strength of 'Underworld: Evolution' and 'Click.' “IMDB's STARmeter is uniquely able to assess the actual popularity of celebrities by basing the list on the use patterns of visitors on the site,” said Keith Simanton, managing editor, IMDb.com. “For example, there appears to be a perennial, if probably clandestine, fascination with Hilary Duff; her only film of the year was the little-seen 'Material Girls' but she still finds herself at No. 15. You can also see the ardent fan base for actors that people might not think of as big stars. This is Christian Bale’s second year on the list at No. 13. Last year it could be explained with his breakout role in ‘Batman Returns.’ This year, though he was in a modest hit, ‘The Prestige,’ his co-star in the film, Hugh Jackman, topped out at No. 40, even though he was also in the blockbuster ‘X-Men 3: The Last Stand.’” There were several notable personalities who just missed the top 25 list, including Anne Hathaway (No. 26), despite her star role in the wildly successful movie ‘The Devil Wears Prada.’About IMDB The Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com) is the Web’s most comprehensive and authoritative source of information on movies, television, and celebrities. The site offers a searchable database of over 889,000 movies, TV, and entertainment programs and over 2.2 million cast and crew members.