1. Ben Stiller
Big Ben won’t ring in another year like this. Four smash hits, and he should have his biggest of 2004 with the just-released Meet the Fockers. Sure, Envy bombed, but that was guaranteed after DreamWorks yanked it from its summer 2003 schedule. Otherwise, all of Hollywood was envious of Stiller’s comic triumphs in 2004.
2. Jamie Foxx
Hard to believe, but Foxx could go from In Living Color cohort to Oscar winner. Maybe that will make us forget Booty Call. Foxx held his own against bad guy Tom Cruise in Collateral, and made us feel we were in the company of Ray Charles, not an actor playing the legendary soul singer.
3. Mel Gibson
The debate will rage on for years as to whether Gibson unintentionally crafted a work of anti-Semitism, but one thing is certain: he took a financial risk by sinking his own cash into The Passion of the Christ, and the results proved heavenly for the Lethal Weapon handler.
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Moore would doubtless prefer to see John Kerry in the White House, but he’s going to have to make do with directing the highest-grossing documentary ever released. Plus, Fahrenheit 9/11 turned the fearless and shameless self-promoter into a household name you either love or despise. And that’s just fine with him.
5. Will Smith
Mr. July hit one out of the ballpark again. I, Robot now ranks as Smith’s fifth July release to make more than $100 million. He lent his voice and rapping talents to Shark Tale and hooked a Big Willie-sized animated smash.
6. Matt Damon
Yes, Damon is now a certified action star thanks to his second and more explosive turn as Jason Bourne. It probably wasn’t Damon’s intention to make two sequels in a row, but this one-two punch will certainly bolster Damon’s standing at the box office after the failure of Gerry and Stuck on You.
7. Brad Pitt
Toga! Toga! Toga! Absence certainly made the heart grow fonder as Troy—Pitt’s first leading role in three years–conquered the box office, especially overseas. Jennifer Aniston’s hubby also didn’t mind playing second fiddle once again to George Clooney, although he failed to make sparks fly with Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Anything arch rival Hilary Duff can do, tabloid staple Lohan set out to prove she could do better. Mean Girls not only bested Duff’s dull contemporary fairy tale Cinderella Story, but it will likely to become a teen classic a la Heathers. Like Duff, Lohan’s also got a hit album. I smell a catfight!
9. Zach Braff
Making the transition from TV to film is never easy–but Braff made the leap under his own terms. Not only did Garden State speak to a generation of college graduates making to make it in the real world, but the comedy also transcended the art house circuit in a way I Heart Huckabees did not. Looks like Braff’s future is assured when Scrubs ends.
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Unlike his Y tu mamá también costar Diego Luna, Bernal’s did not take Hollywood’s money and run. He’s remained true to his artistic integrity and, as a young Che Guevara, scored one of the highest-grossing foreign-language dramas since … Y Tu Mamá También. He also deserves Oscar consideration for his wicked turn in Pedro Almodóvar’s Bad Education.
* As of Dec. 26, 2004
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