Best Paid Celebrities 2012

Forbes has released its annual list of the best-paid celebrities. The top spot is still occupied by a superstar of the talk-show world who may as well be laminated onto the top of the list. The next few places are dominated by the directing giants.

The actors start to break in at number 13 with Tom Cruise, and the women return at 20 with Britney Spears. But by and large, the white men over the age of 40 in management positions still hold the earning power in the list - proving you don't have to be young and beautiful to be rich and powerful in Hollywood after-all.

But who is snapping at their heels?

SLIDESHOW: HIGHEST EARNING CELEBRITIES