Eddie murphy tops 'snl's biggest box office earners

TV & Movies Robert Downey Jr., Bill Murray and Adam Sandler also crack Businessweek's list of the top box office stars, ranked based on gross earnings from films released in North

America Out of all the comedy icons who launched their careers on _Saturday Night Live_, none have contributed more to the North American box office than Eddie Murphy, who helped rake in

$5.79 billion with his 38 films. In a new infographic, _Businessweek _uses data from Rentrak to calculate the top 25 _SNL _veterans based on the gross revenue of their filmography. Dan

Aykroyd came in at the Number Two spot ($4.26 billion), with Robert Downey Jr. rounding out the top three ($3.9 billion). Most of the top 10 is fairly predictable: Ben Stiller comes in at

Number Four ($3.87 billion), followed by Bill Murray ($3.43 billion), Adam Sandler ($3.22 billion), Chris Rock ($3.07 billion), Will Ferrell ($3.06 billion) and Mike Myers ($2.89 billion).

But at this point in the list, the results become more surprising, with rankings from several lesser-known cast members – many of whom based on their voice-acting work or minor supporting

roles in blockbusters. Joan Cusack ranks Number 10 (at $2.81 billion), with Brian Doyle-Murray at Number 13 spot ($2.49 billion), Laurie Metcalf at Number 14 ($2.39 billion) and David

Koechner at Number 17 ($2.04 billion). TRENDING STORIES Other members of the diverse Top 25 are Rob Schneider, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Molly Shannon, Jon Lovitz, Amy Poehler, Chevy Chase, 

Billy Crystal, Harry Shearer, Randy Quaid, David Spade and Martin Short. According to a statement accompanying the article, the revenue in _Business Week_‘s list was adjusted for inflation

and “ranked on total inflation-adjusted box office receipts for their films’ original release.” The list excludes films featuring actors who appear “briefly as themselves” or in uncredited

roles. In addition, “some films released before 1984 are not included because accurate figures from the studios were not available.”