AC/DC tops BRW's Top 50 highest earning entertainers

By Emma Thelwell, ninemsn Money

Aging rockers AC/DC have become Australia's highest earning entertainers thanks to their smash hit tour, knocking kids group The Wiggles off the top spot for the first time in four years.

AC/DC hauled in estimated earnings of $105 million, up from just $12 million last year, securing the number one spot on the 2009 BRW Top 50 Entertainers list.

The rockers, who took the number 8 spot last year, earned twice as much as Kylie Minogue, who came in at number two after raking in $47 million in 2009.

In pictures: Australia's top earning entertainers

The pop princess boosted her annual earnings by around $7 million this year after touring North America for the first time.

Minogue, who retains last year's position on the list, was well ahead of her sister Dannii - who only just made the list at number 47 with earnings of $2 million.

The Wiggles took the bronze gong, with earnings of $45 million and were joined in the Top 10 by rival kids group Hi-5.

With earnings of $18 million, Hi-5 slipped from number five to number six this year. However, those millions will bypass the band members, who are on a fixed salary.

Actor Hugh Jackman also saw his earnings slip, from $25 million last year, to $16 million this year, as his spoils from the film X Men Origins: Wolverine faded, and his cheque for hosting last year's Oscars was cashed in.

Meanwhile, Jackman's fellow Australian film stars brushed off the downturn in Hollywood's movie industry.

Award-winning actress Toni Collette returned to the list at number 38 with earnings of $2.4 million, on the back of the success of her hit series, The United States of Tara.

At number nine, Nicole Kidman pulled in $11 million this year, joining her husband Keith Urban in the Top 10. Urban was lodged at number five with $20 million.

Cate Blanchett climbed from last year's spot at number 14, to number eight this year – despite unchanged earnings of $15 million.

However, Pirates of the Caribbean star Geoffrey Rush was the lowest-earning home grown star on the list, at number 50 with earnings of $1.6 million.

Jane Lindhe, who compiled the list at BRW, said the most surprising outcome was the emergence of young radio and TV stars in the Top 50.

New talent such as 2Day FM stars Hamish Blake and Andy Lee (Hamish and Andy) joined the list at number 49 with joint earnings of $1.9 million.

The radio duo were joined by 14 other newcomers including shock jock Kyle Sandilands and his co-host Jackie O'Neill, who between them secured a spot at number 33 with earnings of $2.8 million.

The rising stars have replaced the likes of Chris Lilley, the comedian and creator of Summer Heights High, who has dropped off this year's Top 50. Culinary queen Donna Hay has also dropped out of the top 50, alongside the actress Rose Byrne.

Ms Lindhe said that music promoters had enjoyed an exceptional year, including Michael Chugg who was behind Coldplay's Australian tour earlier this year.

The resurgence of live music events pushed six music promoters onto the list, bringing "old fashioned" entertainment back into the limelight, according to Lindhe.

"During tough times, people will pay for light relief and an escape from their problems," she said.

"If you look at the 1930s, box office cinema tickets went crazy, there was a huge boom," Lindhe added.

BRW's 2009 Top 50 entertainers goes on sale Thursday, November 5.