Matt Damon – Most Bang For The Buck

According to the people over at Forbes.com, Matt Damon is Hollywood’s best investment. If you need some proof, the third installment of the Bourne series, The Bourne Ultimatum, opened this past weekend and raked in $70.2 million at the box office. It was the biggest August film opening ever! For every dollar Matt was paid for his last three roles, Forbes calculated he brought in $29 worth of gross income, enough to put the 36-year-old star at the top of the list.

The first two Bourne movies grossed an estimated $850 million at the box office and in DVD sales, Forbes said.

Brad Pitt makes big money and runs with a tight crowd, as you will see. Brad took second place on the list, with a gross income return of $24 for each dollar of his pay, and Vince Vaughn tied with Johnny Depp for third with $21. Brad’s ex-wife, Jennifer Aniston, is the most profitable actress with a gross income return of $17. Angelina Jolie, ranked sixth with $15.

Russell Crowe is at the bottom of the list. His last three films — A Good Year, Cinderella Man and Master and Commander — averaged just $5 in gross income for every dollar spent on the Oscar winner, Forbes said. Ouch!

Forbes.com calculated the net revenue for a film by adding the worldwide box office and revenues from U.S. DVD and video rentals and then subtracting its budget. The net revenue was divided by the actor’s total compensation to derive gross income. The average gross income of an actor’s last three films produced their box-office return.

The “Ultimate Star Payback” list was posted Monday.