Tom Hanks Again Reigns as America's Favorite Movie Star

Tom Hanks Again Reigns as America's Favorite Movie Star

Johnny Depp Jumps to #2 and John Wayne is #3

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Once again we have asked U.S. adults to choose their favorite movie stars, and for the second year in a row, Tom Hanks has emerged as America's favorite. Johnny Depp moves up from #4 to #2 this year, while John Wayne, who died over 25 years ago, and Harrison Ford are tied at #3. Rounding out the top five is Julia Roberts (#5).

These are the results of a nationwide poll of 1,001 U.S. adults surveyed online by Harris Interactive(R) between December 8 and 14, 2005.

Consistency in the top 10 seems to be the rule of thumb for this year's list, as nine of the 10 stars in this year's list were also on last year's list, though their rankings have been shuffled a bit. Some of these changes include:

- Mel Gibson drops five places this year from #2 to #7. This excludes him
from the top five for the first time since 1994.
- John Wayne continues to have a large and loyal fan base, as he moves up
four places, from #7 to tied for #3.
- Julia Roberts drops two places from #3 to #5. This year she is not the
only woman in the top 10 as Sandra Bullock, who last appeared on the
list in 2002, returns at #10.
- George Clooney and Clint Eastwood both moved up two places this year
-- Eastwood from #8 to #6 and Clooney from #10 to #8.

Aside from Tom Hanks remaining at #1, the only other movie star to retain their position from 2004 is Sean Connery, who remains at #9.

Gender and race appear to play a role in deciding a favorite. John Wayne is tops among men, while women choose Tom Hanks. Denzel Washington retains his #1 position among African Americans, while Hispanics are divided between Mel Gibson and Katherine Hepburn as their favorite.

Political ideology also appears to be a factor in choosing a favorite movie star. Conservatives pick Tom Hanks and John Wayne as their favorites, while liberals choose Johnny Depp. Region is another factor. While those in the East, Midwest and West all stick with Tom Hanks as their favorite movie star, Southerners go outside of the top 10, choosing Brad Pitt (who comes in at #11 overall) as their favorite.

TABLE 1
FAVORITE MOVIE STAR
"Who is your favorite movie star?"
Unprompted responses
Base: All adults

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Tom Hanks 5 6 7 * * =5 6 2 1 4 1 1
Johnny Depp * * * * * * * * * 10 4 2
John Wayne 2 1 2 4 2 2 2 6 6 7 7 =3
Harrison Ford 4 * * 5 1 1 1 3 4 =5 5 =3
Julia Roberts * * * * * 8 4 1 3 2 3 5
Clint Eastwood 1 2 4 1 =4 4 5 7 8 8 8 6
Mel Gibson 3 3 1 2 3 3 3 4 2 1 2 7
George Clooney * * * * * * * * * * 10 8
Sean Connery * * * =7 =8 7 =10 5 5 3 9 9
Sandra Bullock * * * * * * * 10 10 * * 10
*Not in top 10.

DROPPED OUT OF TOP 10 THIS YEAR
Denzel Washington (#6 in 2004)

TABLE 2
WHICH MOVIE STAR IS #1 AMONG DIFFERENT GROUPS?

Bases/Groups as listed below: Favorite Movie Star
Men John Wayne
Women Tom Hanks
Whites Tom Hanks
African Americans Denzel Washington
Hispanics Mel Gibson/Katherine Hepburn (tie)
Conservatives Tom Hanks/John Wayne (tie)
Liberals Johnny Depp
Moderates Tom Hanks
Post-graduates Harrison Ford
Southerners Brad Pitt

Methodology

The Harris Poll(R) was conducted online within the United States between December 8 and 14, 2005 among a nationwide cross section of 1,001 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.

In theory, with probability samples of this size, one could say with 95 percent certainty that the results have a sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points of what they would be if the entire U.S. adult population had been polled with complete accuracy. Unfortunately, there are several other possible sources of error in all polls or surveys that are probably more serious than theoretical calculations of sampling error. They include refusals to be interviewed (nonresponse), question wording and question order, interviewer bias, weighting by demographic control data and screening (e.g., for likely voters). It is impossible to quantify the errors that may result from these factors. This online sample was not a probability sample.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

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About Harris Interactive(R)

Harris Interactive Inc. (http://www.harrisinteractive.com/), based in Rochester, New York, is the 13th largest and the fastest-growing market research firm in the world, most widely known for The Harris Poll(R) and for its pioneering leadership in the online market research industry. Long recognized by its clients for delivering insights that enable confident business decisions, the Company blends the science of innovative research with the art of strategic consulting to deliver knowledge that leads to measurable and enduring value.

Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe (http://www.harrisinteractive.com/europe) and Asia offices, its wholly-owned subsidiary Novatris in Paris, France (http://www.novatris.com/), and through an independent global network of affiliate market research companies. EOE M/F/D/V

To become a member of the Harris Poll Online(SM) and be invited to participate in future online surveys, go to http://www.harrispollonline.com/.

Press Contact:

Jennifer Cummings
Harris Interactive
585-214-7720

Harris Interactive Inc. 1/06

Source: Harris Interactive

CONTACT: Jennifer Cummings of Harris Interactive, +1-585-214-7720

Web site: http://www.harrispollonline.com/
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/
http://www.novatris.com/

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