CHRIS PIZZELLO / INVISION / AP
IIt’s been a turbulent year for the entertainment industry, with widespread layoffs and a slowdown in production affecting thousands of jobs in the music, film and television industries, as well as the financial outlook of major companies , many of which are looking to sell, merge or restructure their businesses to weather the storm.
Yet in a fragmented attention economy, producing a hit was more valuable than ever. In January, Forbes named legendary television producer Dick Wolf, billionairelike his Law and Order, Chicago And FBI broadcasts are one of the last pillars that support the television broadcast schedule. Larry David should probably join him in this elite club, but the Limit your enthusiasm star net worth is only half of what its Seinfeld co-creator Jerry Seinfeld is worth it. Director Christopher Nolan, who controversially parted ways with Warner Bros. in 2020, bet on himself with his next project and earned a huge salary When Oppenheimer has become a phenomenon. Bailiff performed for free at the Super Bowl Halftime Showbut still grossed millions.
Throughout the year, Forbes has tracked top-performing creatives from all areas of the entertainment industry. From the highest paid movie stars on the planet, the most profitable summer concertsTHE showrunners are building their own TV kingdomsto deceased celebrities including properties still bring in millions every year we track how energy is measured in hard cash.
Elsewhere, we took a close look at the a decades-long battle for profits For The Blair Witch Project creators, and browsed documents showing the profitability of recent Disney film releases. We wrote a career retrospective for Dick Van Dyke99th anniversary of and an analysis of $170 million lawsuit filed against creators of breakout show Baby reindeer.
But there are still a few stories from the year that rise above the rest and represent the best storytelling and analysis about the entertainment industry of 2024.
Downward spiral: In 2019, Forbes estimated that Sean Combs was worth $740 million. Today, his fortune is almost half that amount.
Martin Schoeller for Forbes
Inside the Rubble of Diddy’s Empire
By Lisette Voytko-Best
Sean Combs was once on track to become a billionaire. But as sexual assault allegations and civil lawsuits mounted in the first half of this year, business partners fled and its brands became increasingly less useful. In June, Forbes conducted a thorough review of what remained of his portfolio and how it might be affected by his ongoing legal problems.
Brush with Greatness: Most of Snoop’s Compound artwork is produced by his fans.
Ramona Rosales for Forbes
By Matt Craig
The hip-hop legend went from parenting advice to family, and became one of the biggest stars of this 2024 thanks to his appearances in Olympic coverage from Paris. Forbes met with the DO-double-G at his Los Angeles resort in August, where he explained how he would capitalize on the attention, including joining The voice and releasing a new album produced by Dr. Dre, while pursuing new joint ventures – including the one you’re launching – that will keep his grandchildren ready for life.
Soak it up: “I wanted to be the face of it,” Mendes says of Skura Style products. “I wanted to take that chance, take that risk and be motivated by people saying, ‘Why sponges?’ »
Jamel Toppin for Forbes
By Alex York
She put Hollywood on hold ten years ago to start a family with Ryan Gosling. This year, the 50-year-old actress re-emerged as a cleaning supplies entrepreneur and explained why washing dishes is her happy place.
Better days: “As my success increased,” Springsteen wrote in his 2016 memoir, “there was something about this ‘rich man in a poor man’s shirt’ that left a bad taste in me in mouth.”
SERGIONE INFUSO/CORBIS/GETTY IMAGES
By Lisette Voytko-Best
The Boss went from E Street to Easy Street by staying true to his humble roots, rolling up his sleeves and getting to work. Even now, at 75, he tours and does three-hour shows. Here’s how the blue-collar hero joined the 10-figure club.
Ava DuVernay was one of the featured faces on this year’s Forbes 50 Over 50 list.
Mary Beth Koeth for Forbes
By Maggie McGrath
The first black woman to direct a $100 million film is eschewing studios and their rules and turning to philanthropists like Melinda French Gates. In August, DuVernay sat down for an extensive interview to discuss her career and how she’s paving the way for the women behind her.
A notch below: Forbes estimates that ‘Bear’ star Jeremy Allen White will earn $750,000 per episode this season, but as one veteran dealmaker says, “If it was 2021, I’d expect that or $1.2 million.
Effects
By Matt Craig
Producing a hit TV series like The bear was once a path to serious riches for its actors and creators. But in another massive shift in entertainment, developing groundbreaking shows is worth hundreds of millions less than before. But in Hollywood’s post-strike streaming landscape, it seems no one is happy with the amount of money floating around. Forbes gave leading TV negotiators a chance to speak.
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter teams up with Moët Hennessy, a subsidiary of LVMH, to create SirDavis, a new whiskey.
Mason Poole (left), Julian Dakdouk (right)
By Rachel King
The 32-time Grammy Award winner has released a shiny new item for the top shelf in the form of a Japanese-inspired whiskey made in collaboration with Moët Hennessy. Its creators say the pop star was heavily involved in the process, including the name and design of the bottle. They explain how they created a blend of spirits that accurately reflects Beyoncé’s brand and palate.