America Loves Ellen, Denzel

Tue., Jan. 15, 2008 2:58 PM PST by Marcus Errico

Ellen DeGeneres has just boogied by Oprah Winfrey to the top of the popularity chart.

The Harris Poll's annual rundowns of America's favorite TV and film stars is out and, for the first time in six years, Winfrey is not number one in tube nation.

DeGeneres jumped from number eight to number one in the poll, which surveyed 1,171 U.S. adults between Dec. 4 and Dec. 12. (Presumably that didn't include any striking Hollywood writers, who aren't exactly among DeGeneres' biggest boosters at the moment.)

The list was dominated by talk-show personalities and funnymen, with Jay Leno at three, Jon Stewart at five, David Letterman and Stephen Colbert tied at eight and Ray Romano and Homer Simpson tied at nine. Bill O'Reilly, who is funny in his own way, checked in at number eight.

House's Hugh Laurie was the only drama-series star to crack the top 10, holding tight at number four.

Colbert and Simpson were newbies to this year's list, coming at the expense of Kiefer Sutherland and Conan O’Brien.

Over on the movie poll, Denzel Washington and Tom Hanks finished first and second for the second consecutive year.

Powered by his Pirates of the Caribbean finale and Sweeney Todd singing debut, Johnny Depp shot up to number three, from number seven in 2007.

Hanks' Charlie Wilson's War partner Julia Roberts was the highest charting woman at number four, one slot ahead of Will Smith, who just added to his box-office legend with the record-breaking success of I Am Legend.

John Wayne, dead since 1979, continued his posthumous popularity, ranking number six among movie stars. He has registered in the top 10 every year since the poll began in 1994. He beat out alive-and-kicking stars Matt Damon (tied for seventh with the retired Sean Connery), Sandra Bullock (ninth) and Bruce Willis (tenth).

Dropping off the list this time around: Clint Eastwood, Mel Gibson, George Clooney and Harrison Ford.

The movie poll was conducted between Dec. 4 and Dec. 12 and based on a sample of 1,114 U.S. adults.

Here's a recap of Harris' 2008 favorite TV and movie stars polls:

America's Favorite TV Personality
1. Ellen DeGeneres
2. Oprah Winfrey
3. Jay Leno
4. Hugh Laurie
5. Jon Stewart
6. (tie) David Letterman
6. (tie) Stephen Colbert
8. Bill O'Reilly
9. (tie) Ray Romano
9. (tie) Homer Simpson

America's Favorite Movie Star
1. Denzel Washington
2. Tom Hanks
3. Johnny Depp
4. Julia Roberts
5. Will Smith
6. John Wayne
7. (tie) Matt Damon
7. (tie) Sean Connery
9. Sandra Bullock
10. Bruce Willis