Kidman up, Crowe down, in Australia's rich list

Apr 12, 2006, 13:53 GMT

Australian actor/singer Russell Crowe on the red carpet at the Australian MTV Music Awards in Sydney, Wednesday 12 April 2006. EPA/SERGIO DIONISIO

Sydney - Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman and country music star Keith Urban, widely disbelieved when they protest they are just good friends, are the richest individuals in Australia's entertainment industry, business magazine BRW reported Wednesday.

Kidman, 38, earned 22 million Australian dollars (15 million US dollars) last year with Urban quadrupling his earnings to 20 million Australian dollars (14 million US dollars).

United States-born Kidman, who lives in Los Angeles, is rumoured to be engaged to 38-year-old New Zealand-born Urban, who lives in Nashville.

They were named, behind children's group The Wiggles, who earned 50 million Australian dollars (36 million US dollars) and veteran rockers AC/DC, who took home 25 million Australian dollars (18 million US dollars).

Singer Kylie Minogue ranked sixth on the list, followed by actor Cate Blanchett, children's group Hi-5, and actors Eric Bana, Naomi Watts and Geoffrey Rush.

Oscar-winner Russell Crowe's earnings plummeted. The moody actor's income was 5 million Australian dollars (3.6 million US dollars) last year, down from 27 million Australian dollars (19 million US dollars) in 2004.