Who Is Cincy’s Top Movie or TV Star?

Who’s the biggest movie or TV star from Cincinnati?

Oscar-winner George Clooney? Emmy-winner Sarah Jessica Parker?

1960′s movie star Doris Day? Or ’60′s TV comedian Red Skelton?

Maybe singing cowboy Roy Rogers, or “The Twilight Zone” creator Rod Serling?

Or George’s aunt Rosemary Clooney?

And where do you rank Steven Spielberg, born here in 1946? He didn’t do much before leaving town at age 2-1/2, but he’s done OK since he hit Hollywood.

I’ve been working on this project all summer with broadcasting historian Mike Martini, president of the Media Heritage archives which has the Cincinnati TV/Radio display at the old Voice of America building in West Chester Township….. and it’s finally finished. The list includes people who lived here — or worked in Cincinnati TV or radio – who became a movie or TV star, or an influential writer-producer-creator.

Here’s how we ranked the Top 10: Doris Day, Roy Rogers, Steve Spielberg, George Clooney, Rosemary Clooney, Red Skelton, “Fredrick ZivCisco Kid”/”Highway Patrol” Rod Serling, Ted Turner and Cris Collinsworth (12 national Emmys and part of NBC’s #1 prime-time program, “Sunday Night Football.)”

The next five (#11-#15) were Sara Jessica Parker, Woody Harrelson, Douglas Cramer (“Dynasty,” “Hotel,” “Love Boat” producer), Rocky Carroll and silent film vamp Teda Bara.

Doris Day was the #1 female box office star for years after she stopped making movies. Roy Rogers was the top movie star for 9 years, and #2 in merchandising deals (to Disney) at his peak.

Some have questioned Spielberg being on this list, since didn’t do much here before his family moved when he was only 2-1/2 in 1949, but he was born here, so he qualifies. Many on the list who did perform here weren’t born here (George Clooney from Lexington KY; Sarah Jessica Parker from Nelsonville, OH; Rod Serling from Syracuse, NY).

Here’s a link to our Top 50 list, with a few sentences about each person and a photo. You might not agree with the rankings. That’s OK. The list of Cincinnati’s Top 50 Movie and TV Stars Stars isn’t meant to be the end, but just the start of the conversation.

I invite you to post your own Top 10 List of Cincinnati Stars (just 10, you don’t have to rank all 50!) here on my blog, and to add names of people you think should be on our Top 50 list. Our ”honor roll” of those who didn’t make our cut includes sportscaster Dan Patrick; Kenny Price (“Hee Haw Honeys,” “Midwestern Hayride”), news reporter/anchor Edie Magnus; “NewsRadio” actress Vicki Lewis; “Miami Vice” actor John Diehl, “Family Feud” host Ray Combs, HBO concert director Marty Callner, “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” creator David Collins; Bob Trumpy, Joe Morgan and Boomer Esiason.

I hope you enjoy! Let the debate begin!

Link: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I’ve heard a lot of great suggestions from readers for additions to our Cincinnati’s Top 50 Movie and TV stars list — but not manycomplaints about putting Doris Day #1. So talk to me at noon about it.

We put Doris Day #1, followed by Roy Rogers, Steven Spielberg, George Clooney and Rosemary Clooney.

You who voted in our online poll put Doris Day #1 (358), followed by George Clooney (308), Rosemary Clooney (302), Steven Spielberg (148) and Roy Rogwers (100). Then there was a big drop-off for the next five: Red Skelton (79), Rod Serling (26), Ted Turner (19), Cris Collinsworth (18) and syndication pioneer/”Cisco Kid” producer Fred Ziv (10).

Read more:http://cincinnati.com/blogs/tv/2011/08/30/did-we-get-the-top-50-stars-wrong-lets-chat/