MUMBAI: Hollywood movie star Denzel Washington returns to the list of America’s favorite movie stars, taking the number one position after dropping off the top 10 list in 2005. Dropping from number one to number two is Tom Hanks, while movie legend John Wayne remains in third place. Clint Eastwood jumps up two spots to fourth place.

These are the results of a nationwide Harris Poll of 1,147 US adults surveyed online by Harris Interactive between 12 and 18 December, 2006.

Will Smith also joins the list this year, perhaps due to the recent success of his film, The Pursuit of Happyness. Smith not only joins the top ten for the first time, but does so tied for fifth place. While all the other stars are the same, they have changed places within the top ten. Some of these changes include:

• Harrison Ford is the biggest mover as he drops seven places from tied for #3 to #10. This excludes him from the top five for the first time since 1997;
  
• Julia Roberts is tied for #5, a spot held alone in 2005. She is still alone in one regard – this Pretty Woman is the only female to appear in the top ten;
  
• Johnny Depp drops five spots on the list. In 2005, he was #2 and this time out he is tied for #7. Also tied for #7 is Mel Gibson, who previously held the spot alone;
  
• George Clooney drops one spot, from #8 to #9.

Gender and age appear to play a role in deciding a favorite. Clint Eastwood is number one among men, while women choose Julia Roberts. Despite dropping overall, Johnny Depp is the favorite among Echo Boomers (ages 18 to 29). Gen Xers (ages 30 to 41) cite Tom Hanks as their favorite, while Baby Boomers (ages 42 to 60) go for someone who is no longer with us – John Wayne. Matures (ages 61 and over) choose Julia Roberts as their favorite.

Political ideology also appears to be a factor in choosing a favorite movie star. Conservatives pick Tom Hanks and John Wayne as their favorites, while liberals and moderates both choose Denzel Washington. Additionally, region is another factor in picking a favorite. Easterners pick Clint Eastwood as their favorite, while those in the West choose Will Smith. Southerners go with the number one choice overall and cite Denzel Washington as their favorite actor, while Mid-Westerners think outside the box and choose Brad Pitt, who comes in at #14 overall.

Amongst those who have dropped out of the twp ten in 2006 are Sean Connery (#9 in 2005) and Sandra Bullock (#10 in 2005).