Depp named top autograph signer as Ferrell bombs

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Johnny Depp, take a bow. The "Pirates of the Caribbean" star who turns menacing in his new role as murderous barber Sweeney Todd, has been named the best celebrity autograph signer for the third year running.

Depp, 44, and "The Bourne Ultimatum" star Matt Damon were rated as the best Hollywood signers in the 15th annual survey of who's cool -- and who's cruel -- to autograph collectors by Autograph magazine.

And the worst? Comedian Will Ferrell and Tobey Maguire.

"It's the third consecutive year Depp has topped the list of the 10 best signers. Whether at a premiere, in a restaurant or on location, Depp may just be the best Hollywood autograph signer of all time," Steve Cyrkin, the magazine's editor and publisher, said in a statement.

The list does change from year to year as stars mellow and start to make time for their fans.

For example, actor Russell Crowe, who has made newspaper headlines for his bad-boy behavior including pleading guilty in 2005 for throwing a faulty telephone at a hotel concierge moved from number 10 on the 2006 worst list to number 10 on the 2007 best list.

Crowe got married in 2003 and now has two young sons.

"He may still be a bit grumpy at times, but now he signs pretty much anytime someone asks," said Cyrkin.

"What's so frustrating about Will Ferrell being the worst autograph signer this past year is that he used to be so nice to fans and collectors, and a great signer. What makes him so bad is that he'll taunt people asking for his autograph."

Here is the list of Autograph magazine's 10 Best and 10 Worst Hollywood Signers of 2007 which is based on the observations of judges in Europe, New York and California and appears in the magazine's December issue:

The Best

1. Johnny Depp

2. Matt Damon

3. George Clooney

4. Jack Nicholson

5. Rosario Dawson

6. John Travolta

7. Katherine Heigl

8. Jay Leno

9. Dakota Fanning

10. Russell Crowe

The Worst

1. Will Ferrell

2. Tobey Maguire

3. Joaquin Phoenix

4. William Shatner

5. Renee Zellweger

6. John Malkovich

7. Julie Andrews

8. Bruce Willis

9. Teri Hatcher

10. Scarlett Johansson

Reuters