Tom Cruise is world's top star

Elvis Presley, Albert Einstein and Kurt Cobain continue to earn enviable incomes from the grave, according to Forbes magazine. Presley, who died in 1977, raked in an estimated $52 million last year. Cobain, who committed suicide in 1994, generated about $50 million.

Photo: Tom Cruise is world's top star

Einstein, who has been dead for more than 50 years, took in about $20 million in 2005, Forbes estimates.

On the live side of things, Tom Cruise is the world's No. 1 star, according to Forbes' "Celebrity 100 Power List," which ranks famous folks based on earnings and buzz.

With an estimated income of $67 million last year, Cruise wasn't the top money-earner, but his antics and romance with Katie Holmes made him one of the most talked-about stars of the year. He ranked 10th last year, reports Chicago Tribune.

The less-than-scientific ranking tracks the highest-paid stars from the worlds of television, film, music and sports, said editor Lea Goldman.

"It's what kind of currency does the star's name have," she said. "It's increasingly important how they are perceived both in industry circles and commercial circles, and this list represents who has cachet in both arenas."

Cruise is the only celebrity to top the list twice, she said. He was also No. 1 in 2001.

"He's one of the few guaranteed bankable stars," Goldman said. "No one in Hollywood can negotiate the kind of salary he gets," informs Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

According to Herald Sun, Oprah Winfrey dropped from No.1 to No.3. The $305 million she pulled in, says Forbes, should ease the pain.

Winfrey's windfall pales next to Steven Spielberg's take of $451 million. The director-producer was the year's highest-paid celebrity. He ranks sixth on Forbes' list.

International concerts helped earn the Rolling Stones and U2 second and fourth spots.

Brad Pitt, who ranked 11th last year, dropped to 20th, despite his high-profile relationship with Angelina Jolie.

Jolie tied for 35th place -- with Pitt's ex, Jennifer Aniston.

Mel Gibson, who topped the list in 2004 and ranked third last year, didn't make it this time.

Nothing in Hollywood is complete without Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. Hilton was No.56 and Richie No.95.