Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, September 13, 1993 TAG: 9309150353
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
Two of the nation's richest entertainers this year owe their fortunes to the film's rampaging prehistoric beasts - Steven Spielberg, producer of the movie, and Michael Crichton, who wrote the novel.
But this year's list of top 40 moneymakers from Forbes magazine, which considers two years' worth of income to smooth out big earnings swings, shows most wealthy entertainers make money from more modern phenomena.
Consider the top earner. Oprah Winfrey became the nation's richest entertainer by owning the show she hosts and produces, as well the Chicago studio where it's filmed. The Oprah Winfrey show generates more than $170 million in revenue. Her total take in 1992 and 1993: $98 million.
Spielberg was right behind her. He clinched the No. 2 spot by pulling in $72 million in the past two years, thanks in large part to "Jurassic Park" box office sales that could reach $600 million in 1993. (Crichton is No. 34 on the list, $24 million.) With a videocassette release upcoming, Forbes says, Spielberg could top the list next year.
Slipping to No. 3 from last year's top spot was Bill Cosby, dragged by his TV flop "You Bet Your Life."
\ RICHEST ENTERTAINERS\ 2-YEAR EARNINGS\ \ 1. Oprah Winfrey, talk-show hosti, $98 million.\ 2. Steven Spielberg, movie director, $72 million.\ 3. Bill Cosby, TV personality, $66 million.\ 4. Guns N' Roses, rock group, $53 million.\ 5. Prince, singer, $49 million.\ 6. Charles Schulz, cartoonist, $48 million.\ 7. Kevin Costner, movie star, $48 million.\ 8. U2, rock group, $47 million.\ 9. Garth Brooks, country singer, $47 million.\ 10. David Copperfield, magician, $46 million.
by CNB