It might seem odd, but this year Entertainment Weekly's Entertainer of the Year is an not a movie star, TV idol or singer. It's author J.K. Rowling, creator of the hugely popular "Harry Potter" franchise. The publication of the seventh and final book in the series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows," in July set off reading marathons for readers around the world.
The Cast of "The Office"
Rowling got some stiff competition from actor Steve Carrell and his castmates on the NBC hit comedy "The Office."
Stephen Colbert
"The Office" beat out TV personality and author Stephen Colbert in the finals. The Emmy-winning star of TV's "The Colbert Report" has a spot on the bestseller list with his latest book of satire, "I Am America (And So Can You)." Colbert was named AP's Entertainer of the Year.
Shia LeBeouf
New to superstardom this year, actor Shia LeBeouf, who turned 21 this summer, was the star of two summer hits -- "Transformers" and "Disturbia" -- and is working with Harrison Ford on the new Indiana Jones movie, due out next year.
Vanessa Williams
The "Ugly Betty" diva is a singer, songwriter and stage actress as well as a star of TV and films. The multi-talented Vanessa Williams has been nominated for Emmy, Tony and Grammy awards.
Katherine Heigl
The "Grey's Anatomy" star made a name for herself in movies this summer as the single mom in Judd Apatow's blockbuster "Knocked Up." It's a good year for Katherine Heigl who won an Emmy and is marrying her musician fiance Josh Kelley Dec. 23
Cast of "Lost"
The ABC serial drama that follows survivors after a plane crash on a tropical island is a hit with the magazine's fans. Other groups that made the finals were the casts of 'Heroes," "Friday Night Nights" and "Hairspray" and the Disney Channel kids.
Glenn Close
The "Fatal Attraction" star has Emmy and Tony awards to her name as well as five Oscar nominations. Glenn Close made headlines this year as a brittle and powerful lawyer on the TV series "Damages."
Timbaland
The musician with the midas touch is credited by fans and critics alike with creating a whole genre of sound. He is a singer, songwriter and music producer who has worked with the best names in the music business. Born Timothy Mosley, Timbaland also started his own music company, Mosley Records, this year. He has five Grammy nods, including one for Producer of the Year.
George Clooney
The Oscar-winning actor scored with audiences this year as the leader of the "Ocean's Thirteen" band of rogues and as the cynical corporate lawyer in "Michael Clayton," for which he already has earned a Golden Globe nomination. George Clooney beat fellow "Ocean's" star Matt Damon in the early balloting.
Rihanna
The Barbadian songstress released her third album, "Good Girl Gone Bad," this year and had six Grammy nominations, including those for Record of the Year and Song, beating such singers as Fergie, Carrie Underwood and Bruce Springsteen in the voting.
Justin Timberlake
The "SexyBack" singer has had several movie roles, designed a line of menswear and has opened several restaurants in the last year. And Justin Timberlake turns just 27 next year.
Judd Apatow
Actor-director Judd Apatow followed up his success with 2006s "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" with "Superbad" and last summer's blockbuster "Knocked Up." The magazine has dubbed Apatow's wife, Leslie Mann, and actors Seth Rogan, Paul Rudd, and Jonah Hill as "The Apatow Gang."
Matt Damon
It's a good year for the Oscar winner who also was named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive." A star of last year's Oscar winner "The Departed," this year Damon appeared in the third "Bourne" film and in "Ocean's Thirteen," also a three-quel.
Amy Winehouse
The British singer has had an up-and-down year. Her album has rocked up the charts and she has the lead on Grammy nominations. But Amy Winehouse also has been in and out of rehab and has been taken into police custody in Norway and the U.K.
Hugh Laurie
The "House" star has won back-to-back Golden Globes for his work on the TV series. A native of Oxford, England, Hugh Laurie received an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II in May.
Carrie Underwood
The Grammy-winning pop singer continues to sweep up awards since winning the fourth season of "American Idol." Underwood was named Billboard's best country artist of the year for 2007 and her song "Before He Cheats" was named song of the year by People magazine.
Cate Blanchett
The Australian actress who won an Oscar for playing screen legend Katharine Hepburn started out in 2007 with an Oscar nomiation for "Notes on a Scandal." As the year ends, she is picking up award nominations for "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" and her portrayal of Bob Dylan in Todd Haynes' "I'm Not There."
Bruce Springsteen
The new Jersey rocker is back with his E Street band for a new album called "Magic," released Oct. 2, and a tour that is taking them abroad. There also is word that another album is in the works and may be released in the spring.
Fergie
The recording artist and 2008 Grammy nominee has gone solo while continuing as a vocalist for the Black Eyed Peas. The singer, whose real name is Stacy Ann Ferguson, was named Blender magazine's Woman of the Year.