Tom Cruise tops Forbes star power list

For a second time, actor Tom Cruise hasbeen named to the top spot on Forbes magazine'sannuallist of the year's 100 most powerful celebrities.

The Forbes rankings track the highest-paid stars from the worlds of television, film, music and sports, andtake into account both income and influence, said editor Lea Goldman.

"It's what kind of currency does the star's name have," Goldman told the Associated Press.

Cruise's romance with actress Katie Holmes who didn't make the list at all his $67 million US in earnings and his dismissive comments about Brooke Shields' postpartum depressionearned him plenty of buzz.

"He's one of the few guaranteed bankable stars. No one in Hollywood can negotiate the kind of salary he gets," Goldman said.

Cruise is the only celebrity to ever top the list twice, having also received thehonour in2001.

Last year's top pick, Oprah Winfrey,fell to No. 3 this year, but she remains one of the highest earners with income of $225 million US. Steven Spielberg, who ranked No. 6, earned even more $332 million US.

Rock bands the Rolling Stones and U2 were named No. 2 andNo. 4 respectively,with golf star Tiger Woods rounding out the top five.

Among the Canadian celebrities on the list are Celine Dion at No. 24 and Kiefer Sutherland at No. 68.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who attracted nearly as much attention as Cruise and Holmes with their romance and impending parenthood, wereNo. 20 and No. 36 respectively.

The top 10:

1. Tom Cruise
2. The Rolling Stones
3. Oprah Winfrey
4. U2
5. Tiger Woods
6. Steven Spielberg
7. Howard Stern
8. 50 Cent
9. Cast of The Sopranos
10. Dan Brown