Hollywood A-listers seem to be scraping by, despite the recession. A new list out today reveals in fact that the best paid directors, actors and actresses, are raking in millions of pounds a year - proving that the most valuable thing we can be doing at the moment is prancing around a stage playing 'let's pretend'.

The list contains some real surprises, such as the fact Harry Potter redhead Rupert Grint made more money than George Clooney and the best paid actress is still a teenager.

So which of these overgrown kids made the list, and just how much are they earning?

1. Michael Bay. Top of the list is the director behind the Transformers franchise. Despite being one of the less well-known or recognised people on the list, he made an astonishing $125 million in 2009. His stock in trade is action, with a focus on the big, the loud, and the scantily-clad - which is presumably why the only Oscar his film is up for this year is for sound mixing.

2. Steven Spielberg, was next in line, making $85 million. Presumably his pay day would have been even more generous if he hadn't had to hand over so much of it to Harrison Ford in the inexplicably successful Indiana Jones resurrection.

3. Roland Emmerich. Who? As well you might ask This producer/director was the power behind blockbusters like Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow. The latest in the line of depressing films about the future was 2012, which helped him make an impressive $70 million in 2009.

4. James Cameron. Avatar was the ticket to his payday, with the highest-grossing film of all time making him a stonking $50 million in 2009, and presumably a bucket-load in 2010 too. It's proof again that if it's big and pretty and in 3D it doesn't have to be particularly good.

5. Tod Phillips. Another who is more Who? Who? than Whose who? The director behind the Hangover cashed in on the surprise hit, with a payday of $44 million.

6. Daniel Radcliffe. The highest-paid actor on the list earned his place through his latest stint as the world's most famous wizard. His Superbowl advert for the new Hogwarts theme park and merchandise deals won't have hurt either - and neither will his property portfolio.

7. Ben Stiller. A surprising choice for second best paid actor, making $40 million in 2009 for stints including the surprisingly bearable Night at the Museum 2.

8. Tom Hanks. Quite a stalwart of the best-paid lists, he is doubtless worth more than most countries by this stage. In 2009 he apparently pulled in $36 million, doubtless helped by his role in Da Vinci Code follow-up Angels and Demons... it's nice to see someone come out of that film with a good experience.

9. JJ Abrams. Another produce/director, the man behind Lost made $36 million last year.

10. Jerry Bruckheimer This producer has quite a list of credits, including the CSi franchise, which helped bring his income to $35.5 million in 2009.

And there's honourable mention for Emma Watson, who made 14th place, thanks to her Harry Potter stints and modelling career, which makes her the best-paid actress and youngest person on the list. It's not bad for a 19-year-old literature student who says she is bored with acting.