Aussie entertainers hit by global downturn

Australia's entertainers copped their share of economic woe in 2011, but it's unlikely they'll find a shoulder to cry on.

Australia's entertainers copped their share of economic woe in 2011, but it's unlikely they'll find a shoulder to cry on.

Though their total earnings were slashed by nearly a third, this year's BRW's Top 50 Entertainment List shows that they still raked in more than $400 million.

Taking pole position for the second year in a row is Global Creatures, the production company behind Walking With Dinosaurs - The Arena Spectacular.

The company earned $62 million, more than half of its earnings for the previous year.

The Wiggles, currently slugging through a 90-show nationwide tour, gained a spot on last year to wind up in second place with earnings of $28.2 million.

Naomi Watts, whose recent films include Fair Game and the soon-to-be released J. Edgar, bucked the trend by amassing $7 million more than she did in the previous year to wind up third with earnings of $19.1 million.

Michael Gudinski, the man responsible for bringing Justin Bieber, The Foo Fighters and Lionel Richie to Australia, came in fourth.

The veteran music promoter and head of The Frontier Touring Company earned $19 million this year, up a whopping $12 million on 2010.

Screen favourite Nicole Kidman, who pocketed an extra $9 million more that last year, ended up fifth with $18.6 million. Ageing rockers AC/DC had a hard year, dropping out of the Top 10 after coming in at second place last year.

On the back of their world tour, the band's takings plunged from more than $131.4 million last year to just $9 million this year. Kylie Minogue can thank her worldwide Aphrodite Les Folies tour, which helped her re-enter the top 10 with earnings of $15 million.

Transformers star Rachael Taylor, whose ongoing personal saga with ex-beau Matthew Newton continued in 2011, debuted on the list at number 49 with a paycheque of $2.4 million.

Mud doesn't seem to stick long for radio bad-boy Kyle Sandilands and sidekick Jackie O. Despite a string of recent controversies, they made a cool $500,000 on top of last year's salary to cash in $3 million.


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Source: AAP


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