HAUTE 100: Jennifer Aniston, Judd Apatow, Dan Bane, Steve Bing and more
Eli and Edythe Broad
CATEGORY: Power Couples
COMPANY: Kaufman & Broad
INDUSTRY: Development/ Manufacturing
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:
Broad made his fortune with his real estate company, Kaufman & Broad, and then founded financial company SunAmerica, where he served as CEO. He is actively involved in revitalizing L.A.’s downtown area and is an avid supporter of enriching the city’s cultural life. The Broads created a family foundation in the 1960s to support their charitable interests and causes. The Broad Foundations, which include The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation and The Broad Art Foundation, have assets of approximately $2.5 billion.
Kobe Bryant
CATEGORY: Athletes
COMPANY: L.A. Lakers
INDUSTRY: Basketball
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:
The widely respected shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers will go down in history as one of the greatest players ever in the NBA. After earning the Finals MVP Award two years in row, the now five-time NBA champ was recently honored with the All-Star MVP award for the fourth time. Aside from his super star status, this pro-athlete is also an active philanthropist and is the official ambassador for After-School All-Stars, a non-profit organization that provides after-school programs to children.
Ronald Burkle
CATEGORY: Billionaires
COMPANY: Yucaipa Companies
INDUSTRY: Investing
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:
This California native got his start in business as a bagboy in his father’s grocery store. He started his fortune by buying and selling supermarket chains and soon after created his private equity firm, Yucaipa, which invests in retail, manufacturing and distribution. The company has invested in big names such as the popular retail brand, American Apparel. According to Forbes, this business mogul has an estimated net worth of $3.2 billion.
Dr. Jerry Buss and Jeanie Buss
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
COMPANY: L.A. Lakers
INDUSTRY: Sports
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:
Under his ownership, the Lakers have won 10 NBA titles, made it to the finals 16 times and won almost 70 percent of their games, making Buss one of the most successful owners in the NBA. His daughter, Jeanie, is the executive vice president of business operations for the Lakers and girlfriend of former Lakers’ coach Phil Jackson.
James Cameron
CATEGORY: Originators
INDUSTRY: Film
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:
This director’s name is synonymous with big blockbuster hits like The Terminator, Spider-Man and Titanic, the latter of which raked in some $1.8 billion worldwide and took home 11 Oscars, including “Best Picture”. In 2009, Cameron proved once again that he can do no wrong with what became the Avatar phenomenon; the movie grossed $2.7 billion worldwide and is still ranked as one of the largest grossing films of all time.
Rick Caruso
CATEGORY: Originators
COMPANY: Caruso Affiliated
INDUSTRY: Real Estate Development
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:
As L.A. Business Journal’s “Developer of the Year,” and a past president of the Police Commission, Caruso is one the most influential members of the Los Angeles community. He is the developer of unique shopping attractions like The Grove, the Americana at Brand and other retail-entertainment projects that have transformed neighborhoods and changed the shopping landscape. Caruso is also involved with Para Los Niños, which provides education and child development services to neighborhoods in Southern California. The organization renamed one of its child development centers the Tina and Rick Caruso Child Development Center in his honor.
Alan Casden
CATEGORY: Billionaires
COMPANY: Casden Properties LLC
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:
This self-made accountant-turned-developer billionaire is a builder of multifamily residential properties and high-density real estate. As CEO and Chairman of Casden Properties LLC, he has become one of the most prestigious names in urban development; they recently opened a 276-unit rental development in Burbank and an apartment complex in West Hollywood is next on the to-do list.
Michael and Eva Chow
CATEGORY: Power Couples
COMPANY: Mr. Chow Restaurant
INDUSTRY: Cuisine
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:
He’s the brain behind the trendy Mr. Chow restaurants; she’s by his side lending her creativity to conceive the design of each location. Their authentic Chinese cuisine was first introduced in London in 1968; outposts in New York, then Beverly Hills, Vegas and Miami followed.
George Clooney
CATEGORY: Entertainers
COMPANY: Smokehouse Pictures
INDUSTRY: Film
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:
He’s been Hollywood’s most eligible bachelor for as long as we can remember, but the superstar is known not only for his dashing good looks and acting abilities, but also for his social and liberal political activism. His efforts paid off with public recognition when he was honored with the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at the 62nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. His face continues to grace the movie screen in box office and film festival hits like The Ides of March and The Descendants.
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes
CATEGORY: Entertainers
COMPANY: Cruise/Wagner Productions
INDUSTRY: Film/Fashion
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:
He is a prolific actor, one of the world’s most powerful celebrities and an accomplished producer who has greenlight authority at United Artists. She has appeared in The Ice Storm, Batman Begins, Mad Money, and her latest comedic venture, Jack and Jill. Holmes, a style icon, has also been the face of many ad campaigns, including Miu Miu, Ann Taylor, and most recently, H.Stern Jewelry. Together, they bring in $33.5 million, according to Forbes. The couple has one daughter together, Suri, also a mini star in her own right.