Jolie topped the Forbes.com list thanks to the worldwide success of her action film Salt, which brought in US$300 million, and The Tourist, which also featured Johnny Depp and earned US$280 million in global sales.

Much of Parker’s hefty salary comes from reruns of her hit television show Sex and the City, which she starred in and produced, and earnings from the second film from the series which generated US$290 million.

“People may be surprised to see Sarah Jessica Parker up there but they may not realise that in addition to acting, she earns big from her perfumes and endorsement deals,” said writer Dorothy Pomerantz of Forbes.com. “Also she’s coming off of Sex and the City 2 which turned a healthy profit.”

Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon were not far behind in the rankings with each actress bringing home US$28 million.

Aniston’s film Just Go With It is her fourth highest earning film in the US.

The top 10 earning actress made a total of US$218 million between May 2010 and May 2011, according to Forbes.com, which compiled the list by talking to producers, lawyers, agents and Hollywood insiders to estimate what each actress earned.

Last year’s top earner, Sandra Bullock, has enjoyed a 12-month movie hiatus and dropped to number nine with an income of (just) US$15 million.

The full list can be found by clicking here.

- Reuters