Tom Tom

The two biggest stars in the world are Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks. Okay, that's an opinion, but look at the numbers--they have starred in a variety of films over the last two decades or so and most have been big hits.

In the past twenty years, Cruise starred in 14 films that grossed over $100 million domestically. Meanwhile, Hanks starred in 12 such films, 13 if you include The Polar Express, 15 if you include Toy Story and its sequel.

Last year I would have said Cruise had the edge, but I think Hanks has since passed him. (I realize going on a yearly basis, statistically speaking, is silly, but Cruise seems to have sustained serious public relations damage.) A few months ago it was different. With The Ladykillers and The Terminal, two Hanks underperformers, it seemed his star was dimming. Meanwhile, Cruise did the well-received Collateral and the big hit War Of The Worlds. But now, with The Da Vinci Code conquering the world and Mission: Impossible III doing disappointing business, their positions have reversed.