A-list

For the books by Zoey Dean, see The a-list. For other uses see A-list (disambiguation).

The A-list is the roster of the most bankable movie stars in Hollywood. Often these top actors in the film industry are able to earn $20 million per movie.

"Bankability" is determined for films according to three budgetary levels:

• $5 million or less (typically independent productions)
• $5 to $25 million
• $25 million or over (studio films).

The A-list is part of a larger guide called The Hot List that has become an industry-standard guide in Hollywood. Lesser-known actors inhabit the B+, B, and C lists, and there is even a dreaded "Bottom of the Heap." James Ulmer has also developed a Hot List of directors and The Ulmer Scale.

Ulmer Scale

The list was created by veteran entertainment journalist James Ulmer, who developed a 100-point method to quantify a star's value to a film production, in terms of getting a film financed and the cameras rolling. The Ulmer Scale also takes into account an actor's history (box office successes vs. failures), versatility, professional demeanor, and ability and willingness to travel and promote films.

Tom Hanks and Tom Cruise have topped the latest ranking in 2006. Ulmer's latest Top Ten List, from 2006 also includes:

• Jim Carrey
• George Clooney
• Russell Crowe
• Johnny Depp
• Nicole Kidman
• Angelina Jolie
• Brad Pitt
• Julia Roberts

Popular usage

In popular usage outside the film industry, an "A list celebrity" simply refers to any person with an admired or desirable social status. Similarly, less popular persons are referred to as "B-list."

Past A-list stars

Throughout the history of film there have been many Hollywood icon who have been called 'A-list' stars. One notable A-list star was actress and model Marilyn Monroe.

See also

• Bankable star
• Celebrity
• Superstar
• Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List