THE time has come to count annual income. Male stars dominated the lists of highest earners in showbiz for 2011.

    American actor, Brad Pitt, has been named the Top Money-Making Star of 2011 in Quigley Publishing Co.’s 80th Annual Poll of Motion Picture Exhibitors.

    This is Pitt’s sixth appearance in the poll, but his first win. Exhibitors felt Pitt was responsible for more traffic to theaters than any other Hollywood star based on his performances in “Moneyball,” “The Tree of Life” and “Happy Feet Two.”

    The Quigley poll, conducted each year since 1932, is an annual survey of motion picture theater owners and film buyers, which asks them to vote for the 10 stars that they believe generated the most box-office revenue for their theaters during the past year.

    It has long been regarded as one of the most reliable indicators of a star’s real box-office draw because the selections are made by professionals whose livelihood depends on choosing the films and actors that will bring audiences to their theaters.

    Pitt is followed by George Clooney and Johnny Depp in the poll.

    Hong Kong actor, Donnie Yen, ranked first in Hong Kong’s entertainment circle with an income of around 180 million yuan (US$28.56 million) last year, according to statistics released by Hong Kong media.

    Boasting more than 10 million yuan in remuneration for each film, Yen gathered his wealth by shooting movies, commercials, attending commercial activities and writing books.

    Despite a loss of HK$40 million (US$5.15 million) due to the financial crisis, Hong Kong singer Jacky Cheung netted more than HK$124 million by holding 104 concerts last year.

    Cheung did a beverage commercial last year in return for HK$10 million.

    In Taiwan, singer-songwriter Jay Chou ranked first for the fourth consecutive year.

    Chou’s income reached 140 million yuan last year, followed by female singer, Jolin Tsai, who earned 130 million yuan.

    Chou maintained his leading position despite shooting only one movie last year and holding fewer concerts than in 2010.

    Another singer, Show Luo, jumped from fourth place to third after doing concerts, public appearances, commercials, photo albums and TV shows.

(Li Hao)