Julia Roberts named most powerful actress

Julia Roberts has been named Hollywood's most powerful actress and its third most powerful woman.

The Erin Brockovich star comes far ahead of her nearest competitor, Oprah Winfrey.

The Hollywood Reporter annually lists the film industry's 100 most powerful women.

The two are the only high-profile names to make it on to the top 25 - the rest are studio bosses and other Hollywood insiders.

Harry Potter author JK Rowling comes in at number 56, just behind Madonna (42nd) and ahead of Drew Barrymore, at 63.

Roberts, 34, runs her own production firm as well as commanding £14m a film, putting her on the same pay scale as Tom Cruise and Harrison Ford.

Oprah Winfrey, 47, comes in at eighth, up from 15 last year. She is the chairman of her own company as well as presenter of her show.

Oprah is regarded as a key media player in America for her book club, which can make or break an author, and her following, especially among black women.

Madonna, who was not on the list last year, made it in this time because of her Drowned World tour, which took in millions of pounds worldwide, and her part in Swept Away, a film directed by husband Guy Ritchie.

The list named Universal Pictures boss Stacey Snider as Hollywood's most powerful woman. She has been responsible for a string of blockbusters in the past year including The Mummy Returns, Jurassic Park III, The Fast and the Furious and American Pie II.