Hollywood's Top-Earning Black Couples
In a year where American's elected their first black president, Barack Obama, African Americans continue to make progress into main stream American culture. Earlier this year Will Smith was name the most powerful actor in Hollywood, now topping the list of Forbes magazine's first annual ranking of Hollywood's Top-Earning Couples is Jay-z and Beyonce.
According to Forbes:
Thanks to a monster year filled with music, movies, fashion and endorsement deals, Jay-Z ($82 million) and his new bride, Beyoncé Knowles ($80 million), collectively raked in $162 million between June 1, 2007 and June 1, 2008.
Will and Jada Pinkett Smith hauled in some $85 million over the past year, making them No. 2 on our list. Though Jada's resume continues to grow, Will's the family breadwinner. He raked in $80 million in the year ending June 2008, thanks to another set of top-performing blockbusters: I Am Legend, The Pursuit of Happyness and this past summer's Hancock. Together the flicks banked $1.2 billion at the worldwide box office, making him Hollywood's most bankable star.
Jada pulled in $5 million during the same 12-month period, thanks to roles as an actress (The Women), producer (The Human Contract) and businesswoman (a stake in beauty line Carol's Daughter).
Forbes magazine's Hollywood's Top-Earning Couples:
- Jay-Z and Beyonce Knowles
- Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
- David and Victoria Beckham
- Tim McGraw, Faith Hill
- Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie
- Judd Apatow, Leslie Mann
- Gwen Stefani, Gavin Rossdale
- Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban
- Eva Longoria, Tony Parker
- Harrison Ford, Calista Flockhart
Tags: Beyonce Knowles, Feature, Shawn "Jay Z" Carter, Will Smith