Hollywood's Busiest A-List Actors

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the busiest actor of all? Let's compare five top Hollywood actors who are definitely on the A list. These five actors not only command some pretty hefty acting salaries, they also wear other hats in the film industry, such as producing and directing. These A-listers have 101 projects currently listed on IMDB, and 3 of these actors are rumored to be in the 101st as of this writing.

George Clooney has 8 projects in development and 3 films in productions. That's a total of 11 between now and 2012. Two are only rumors so now we're down to 9. Out of the 9, George is listed as a producer on 7, director of 3 titles for next year. George is also listed as screenwriter on "Escape from Tehran" (2012). George appears to have definite roles in 3 films. His last reported salary was $15 million for "Ocean's Thirteen" (2007). The next film you can see George in, if you have a mind to, is "The American" (2010) due to be released in September.

Denzel Washington has 7 titles in development and 1 in production. Denzel is producing 3 of the titles in development and also directing "Brothers in Arms" (2012). He is listed as an actor in 6 films with only 1 being rumored. Denzel's last reported salary was $20 million in "American Gangster" (2007). "Unstoppable" (2010) with Denzel in the role of Frank Barnes is due out in November.

Johnny Depp has 15 projects in development and 7 titles in production. He is producing 10 and co-producing one. He is directing an as yet untitled documentary about Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. There's one voice role in the animated "Rango" (2011) -- Johnny is Rango. 6 of the acting roles are only rumored, while 7 seem definite. Johnny's last reported salary was $20 million for "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" (2006). Some of the future roles are quite interesting: Salvador Dali, Pancho Villa, Tonto, and even one of the rumored ones looks good: Barnabas Collins in a film version of the "Dark Shadows" soap. I'll be buying some tickets, especially if the "Lone Ranger" trailer looks good. In the meantime, "The Rum Diary" (2010) is due out sometime in 2010. Look for "The Tourist" with Angelina Jolie around February, 2011.

Brad Pitt has 22 projects in development and 7 in production. Brad's listed as producer on 24 titles. IMDB lists "Megamind" (2010) as voice only. Oh, dear! Brad only made $9 million for his role in "Inglorious Basterds," but maybe he'll get more for some of the 7 roles lined up between now and 2012. In addition, he has one rumored role and that Hatfield and McCoy project he allegedly grew the billygoat beard for isn't showing up at all yet, but "Gunsmoke" (2012) is. Brad will appear as Mr. O'Brien in "The Tree of Life" (2010) co-starring with Sean Penn, due out this November.

Leonardo DiCaprio has 27 projects in development and 4 titles in production. That's quite an impressive total of 31 between now and 2013, and we're only going to eliminate one because he will still be producing some of the titles he is only rumored to have a role in. Out of the remaining 30 projects, he is the producer of 22. One is a voice role but we're still looking at 14 acting roles, 7 of which are mere rumors so far. The first of your chances to see Leonardo in action will come this July in "Inception" (2010).

We seem to have a tie with Johnny, Brad and Leonardo lined up for 7 roles (not included rumors). But, if we are going to go on to rumored roles, then, clearly, Leonardo DiCaprio is the busiest A-list actor in Hollywood, at least as of today.

As for that 101st project, Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt and George Clooney are all rumored to be connected with "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" (2012). Brad Pitt is reportedly playing the role of Mikael Blomkvist. It will be interesting to see the final casting decisions (and Brad's salary).

Source: IMDB.com