Even in a jittery, cash-starved year, some talent is going to beplatinum-plated, recession-proof, and flop-resistant. Interviewing scores of industry experts, the author crunches the numbers to rank the 40 top moneymakers of 2009, along with the projects (a third Fockers movie, anyone?) behind their paydays.

32.

Angelina Jolie
(Media Talent Group)
Estimated 2009 earnings: $21 million
$20 million: Salt (fee for starring in upcoming spy movie)
$1 million: Royalties from older films, other revenue

Source: Vanity Fair