Steven Spielberg beats Oprah Winfrey in Forbes' annual list of 'Most Influential Celebrities', mainly due to the success of his most recent film 'Lincoln'.
Forbes has just released its annual 'The Most Influential Celebrities' list.
With a field filled of broadcast personalities, award winning film directors and media moguls, it was clear that this year's winner wasn't going to be a gossip site's favourite, aka Kim Kardashian or Miley Cyrus.
The No.1 spot is awarded to famed director Steven Spielberg, he overtakes last year's winner, Oprah Winfrey, who now falls into second place.
The influence of the 67 year-old was raised dramatically by the release of his most recent film, 'Lincoln', starring Daniel Day-Lewis as President Abraham Lincoln, which garnered twelve Oscar nominations, winning two.
Day-Lewis won 'Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role' for his portrayal of the 16th President of USA, and the production team also won an Oscar for 'Best Achievement in Production Design'.
Spielberg was nominated for 'Best Motion Picture of the Year' and 'Best Achievement in Directing'.
According to Box Office Mojo, the movie also grossed, $182 million domestically and an impressive $275 million worldwide, meaning a third of the earnings came from overseas markets, which is known to be harder for American period films to sell.
Forbes reports, the film maker achieved a score of 47 for influence, which is based on a poll by E-Poll Market Research, meaning 47% out of all the individuals involved in the survey think he is influential.
Oprah Winfrey finished in 1st place last year
"A celebrity's 'Influential' score represents how that person is perceived as influencing the public, their peers, or both," Gerry Philpott, president of E-Poll Market Research, which conducted the study for Forbes, told the magazine.
"If anyone doubts that Steven Spielberg has greatly influenced the public, think about how many people think for a second before going into the water this summer," he added.
Media Queen Oprah Winfrey, who reached the No.1 spot last year with a score of 49, only earned 45% this year.
Congratulations Steven!
Steven Spielberg is crowned the 'most influnetial celebrity' by Forbes
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