The fuzzy math of theater owners

So, movie theater owners were surveyed as to which actors brought in the most dough in 2007.

Johnny Depp was cited as the #1 box office draw. While, I concede that at first glance this seems fairly obvious, the theater owners are actually morons if they think Depp's films brought in the most money this year.

That honor goes to Shia LaBeouf.

Depp's two films, "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" and "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" (nice long titles, those) have pulled in a collective $340 million.

LaBeouf's films, "Transformers", "Disturbia" and "Surf's Up" pulled in $457 million this year.

Who else made the survey list? Let's look at their box office compared to other names...

Will Smith placed second on the list. His film, "I Am Legend" generated $210 million this year.

George Clooney? $156 million ("Oceans 13" and "Michael Clayton")

Matt Damon - $344 million ("The Bourne Ultimatum" and "Oceans 13")

Denzel Washington - $146 million ("American Gangster" and "The Great Debaters")

Russell Crowe - $182 million ("American Gangster" and "3:10 to Yuma")

Tom Cruise - $15 million ("Lions for Lambs")

Nicolas Cage - $280 million ("Ghost Rider", "Next" and "National Treasure: Book of Secrets")

Will Ferrell - $118 million ("Blades of Glory")

Tom Hanks - $43 million ("Charlie Wilson's War")

Granted, I'm sure that when these theater owners are being surveyed, they don't just think about the previous year, but collective years. Who else in 2007 *really* drove box office? It's hard to say if people show up for the movie or the actor in some cases (I seriously doubt most people thought, "Hmm, I don't know if I want to see that 'Transformers' movie...wait, Shia LeBeouf is in it? Oh, I'm so there!"), but just for the exercise, who else "generated" the most income in 2007?

Eddie Murphy - $418 million ("Shrek 3" and "Norbit")
Seth Rogen - $270 million ("Knocked Up" and "Superbad")
Tobey Maguire - $336 million ("Spiderman 3")
John Travolta - $287 million ("Wild Hogs" and "Hairspray")

And since the theater owners seem to forget women are even in films, I'll just point out a few totals for the leading ladies this year:

Cameron Diaz - $322 million ("Shrek")
Keira Knightley - $312 million ("Pirates" and "Atonement")
Kirsten Dunst - $336 million ("Spiderman 3")

Other notes: Helena Bonham Carter was in 'Harry Potter 5' and 'Sweeney Todd'. Timothy Spall trumps her with appearances in both films AND 'Enchanted'. The costar who wears the box office crown: Jon Voight. If we wanted to be really fair, Jon Voight even beats Shia with his appearances in "Transformers", "National Treasure 2", "September Dawn" AND the BRATZ film for a total of $477 million.