Melissa McCarthy(01 of19)
Open Image ModalAn Emmy for "Mike and Molly" and the absolute breakout performance of 2011 in "Bridesmaids." She's developing her own films now, and is impossible not to love during interviews. One of the year's greatest breakouts.
Michael Fassbender(02 of19)
Open Image ModalLet's see. Starring roles in "Jane Eyre," "X-Men: First Class," "Shame," "A Dangerous Method" and the upcoming "Haywire." His man part made consistent headlines this fall and helped earn him a Golden Globe nomination. He's got parts in the upcoming "Prometheus" and "Twelve Years A Slave," too.
Jessica Chastain(03 of19)
Open Image ModalWhat wasn't she in? From "The Tree of Life" to "The Debt," "Take Shelter," "Coriolanus," "Texas Killing Fields," and "The Help," she was everywhere. She earned a Golden Globe nod for "The Help," and should do the same at the Oscars. Chastain will continue the epic filmography, with her work in "Wettest County," Terrence Malick's next project and the sci-fi film "Horizons."
Adele(04 of19)
Open Image ModalHer album was called "21." Might as well have been titled "1."Cue the numbers:It charted #1 in 27 different countries, ranging from the UK to Slovenia.It spent 13 weeks at #1 in the US.It's sold 13 million copies worldwide.It went 14x platinum in the UK.It earned 6 Grammy nominations.Not bad.
Ryan Gosling(05 of19)
Open Image ModalYep, he already had an Oscar nomination for "Half Nelson" and starred in iconic romance "The Notebook," but this was the year Ryan Gosling truly broke out. He starred in three very different hits: "Drive," "Crazy, Stupid, Love." and "The Ides of March." He became George Clooney's surrogate young actor. He broke up a fight in Manhattan. He's dating Eva Mendes. And he became a meme.
Marvel Comics(06 of19)
Open Image ModalTwo major hits in "Captain America" and "Thor" launched individual film franchises, and set up fervent anticipation for next summer's epic hero-fest, "The Avengers." The money floweth for the Disney unit.
Jason Segel & Kermit(07 of19)
Open Image ModalSegel's childhood dream, and longterm professional goal, came true with a successful relaunch of the Muppets. And Kermit got the spotlight he deserves. Expect more from this pair.
Daniel Radcliffe(08 of19)
Open Image ModalYes, the Harry Potter franchise ended, but it did so with a billion dollar flurry and the series' best reviews. It also freed Radcliffe to pursue other interests, like starring in the smash hit "How To Succeed In Business" on Broadway.
George Clooney(09 of19)
Open Image ModalHe had two critical hits, for his acting in "The Descendants," which may win him an Oscar, and for his directing of "The Ides of March." Plus, he dated whomever he wanted, keeping the media breathless and actually respectful.
Emma Stone(10 of19)
Open Image ModalShe anchored the surprise smash civil rights hit "The Help," stole hearts (including Ryan Gosling's) in "Crazy, Stupid, Love." and then met her current boyfriend, Andrew Garfield, while starring in next summer's "The Amazing Spider-Man." Not bad.
Kris Humphries(11 of19)
Open Image ModalYes, he's getting divorced. And yes, he's being booed by NBA fans. But you know his name. Everyone knows his name -- which means he's getting plenty of product endorsement deals. And for a player on the NJ Nets who has never averaged more than 10 points a game, that's all a win.
Jimmy Fallon(12 of19)
Open Image ModalFresh off his first Emmy nomination for "Late Night," Fallon is pacing the field as the most lovable late night host and a breath of fresh air with his fun, celeb-filled nightly joyfest. That laugh!
Jay-Z(13 of19)
Open Image ModalLet's see... Come out with one of the most anticipated and then heralded albums of the year (and hip hop history): Check.Have your pro basketball team earn the okay to move to your hometown: Check.Conceive a baby with your gorgeous and talented superstar wife: Check.
Betty White(14 of19)
Open Image ModalThe 89-year old just keeps on rolling. She's got her own TV show ("Hot in Cleveland"), a hidden camera reality show on its way and an internet army that will donate internal organs if she so requires.
Rebecca Black(15 of19)
Open Image ModalLike Kris Humphries, she's greatly derided. But she's also a teenage girl no one had ever heard of, and now she's a millionaire known to the world.
Katy Perry(16 of19)
Open Image ModalOkay, okay, things got dicier yesterday with that divorce announcement. But before that, she set Billboard records with her charting singles, she toured worldwide, she hosted "SNL" and starred in "The Smurfs" and put out some of the most original music videos of the year.
Rooney Mara(17 of19)
Open Image ModalShe may have set the record for magazine covers and coverage before ever starring in a major film. It's deserved, though; Mara's absolutely spellbinding in "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo," elevating her to true stardom. If she wants it.
Questlove(18 of19)
Open Image ModalA nighty star alongside Jimmy Fallon on "Late Night," Questo created some headlines (and won some fans) with his choice for intro song for Michele Bachmann. More importantly, he's one of the hardest working men in music, DJing all over the east coast on a weekly basis, and coming out with a hit album with The Roots, "Undun."
Ricky Gervais(19 of19)
Open Image ModalLike him or not, Gervais set the world on fire with his Golden Globe hosting job -- and then got invited back. In between, he launched a new show, "Life's Too Short," and another season of "An Idiot Abroad." Oh, and he fought hatred on Twitter on a daily basis.