New data claims to name the most popular actor in Hollywood — and it might not be who you expect.
According to data compiled by PartyCasino, which analyzed box office numbers from 1980 to 2017 to determine Hollywood’s most and least profitable actors, Emilio Estevez takes the crown.
Estevez, whose Brat Pack heyday was in the ’80s and ’90s, topped the list with the best return of any top-billed male actor who has starred in at least 10 films. For every $1 spent on the leading man’s films, Estevez generated $6.70 at the box office. Jean-Claude Van Damme ranked second with $4.20 for each dollar, while other great investments were Mel Gibson ($3.50), Tyler Perry ($3), and Dudley Moore ($3).
Brad Pitt was the least profitable actor and returned only 10 cents for every $1 spent, followed by Johnny Depp (20 cents), Robert De Niro (24 cents), Hugh Jackman (25 cents), and Anthony Hopkins (26 cents).
PartyCasino had less extensive results for actresses, because, as a representative told the New York Post, “women, unfortunately, are less likely to be the top-billed actor for a movie.” Rose Byrne was most profitable with $9.80 for every budgeted dollar, with Regina Hall in second at $3.50 and Octavia Spencer rounding out third place with $2.90.
Mystery films earned the most at the box office, returning $39.89 for every dollar spent, followed by horror films with $34.13, thrillers ($17.36), and documentaries ($7.38). Action films only generated $1.89 for each budget dollar, making them the least profitable. Crime pictures and musicals were the second and third lowest earners, only making $2.01 and $2.05 respectively.