http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4564944.stm
Tom Cruise has been named the
biggest movie star of all time, but also the most irritating, by film fans.
Cruise 'irritates most' say fans
An Empire magazine poll of 10,000 movie fans named Cruise the biggest star, beating Robert De Niro and Marilyn Monroe among others.
Kate Winslet and Kevin Spacey took the favourite actress and actor titles.
Cruise's status as most irritating actor "may be a knee-jerk reaction to his year in the spotlight", said Empire assistant editor Ian Freer.
Scientology beliefs
While promoting latest film War of the Worlds earlier this year, Cruise announced he was engaged to Dawson's Creek star Katie Holmes. The pair are now expecting a baby.
Cruise also spoke of his belief in Scientology and criticised actress Brooke Shields, who had admitted taking drugs for post-natal depression.
He beat Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Adam Sandler and Jim Carrey in the most irritating actor category.
BIGGEST MOVIE STARS OF ALL TIME
1. Tom Cruise
2. Robert De Niro
3. Harrison Ford
4. Al Pacino
5. Marilyn Monroe
Source: Empire magazine
But Mr Freer added: "He has also been voted the greatest movie star in the world, something this year's Mission: Impossible 3 will no doubt confirm."
The poll was commissioned to mark Empire magazine's 200th issue.
In the acting categories Finding Neverland star Winslet beat Nicole Kidman and Natalie Portman while American Beauty star Spacey beat Tom Hanks and Johnny Depp among others.
Steven Spielberg was best director, beating King Kong film-maker Peter Jackson - nevertheless Jackson's
Lord of the Rings trilogy was named favourite film franchise.
Film fans named Fargo star Steve Buscemi their favourite unsung movie hero.
Seven out of 10 of those questioned thought there was too much product placement in films, while 81% thought there were too many sequels and remakes.