What stars do with their money

Just a week ago, pop star and actor Justin Timberlake acquired a stake in struggling social networking site, My Space. In last year's movie The Social Network, Justin Timberlake played Napster founder-turned-Facebook president, Sean Parker.

Timberlake's leap from singer, musician and actor to hotshot entrepreneur in real life appears to be more than a vanity buy. Reports say the singer will play an important role in the development of a fresh and creative approach for this one-time youth magnet with nearly 80 million users in the US.

As Timberlake works to revitalize My Space, here's a look at other celebrities - also smart entrepreneurs - who make money from money.

Ashton Kutcher: Ashton Kutcher, a former model, rose to fame in Hollywood by playing a handsome ditz in Dude, Where's My Car? and on That 70s Show. But in certain circles, people know that he is no dummy when it comes to technology. In recent years, Kutcher has become a smart early investor in some of the most talked-about Internet start-ups, including Foursquare, the mobile social network; Path, a photo-sharing application; and Flipboard, a news-reading app for the iPad. He has also clearly mastered the utopian lingo of Silicon Valley: “I look for companies that solve problems in intelligent and friction-free ways and break boundaries,” he said in an interview this week.

It is too early to say how Kutcher's approach will pay off, but one of his investments has clearly jumped in value. He was part of a group of investors that bought into the Internet calling service Skype in 2009 in a deal that valued it at $2.75 billion. Last month, Microsoft agreed to buy Skype for more than three times that amount.

Kutcher, 33, would not discuss the size of his investments, which he has recently been making through a partnership called A Grade. People in the venture capital world estimated that they were in modest amounts, perhaps $50,000 to $200,000 — on par with what other early-stage investors would be putting in.

His firm's latest and largest investment, to be announced, is in Airbnb, a start-up company in San Francisco that matches budget-conscious travelers with local people who are willing to rent out their spare bedrooms. (Text: New York Times)

Update: Some reports say Airbnb, the web service that hooks vacationers up with independently-listed nightly rentals, has just received an undisclosed amount in funding from the actor. However, numbers haven't been disclosed as yet.

Sandra Bullock: In downtown Austin, Texas, Sandra Bullock, is the discreet owner of Bess Bistro, a cozy, restaurant with comfort food such as burgers and macaroni and cheese on the menu. She also owns Walton's Fancy and Staple, a bakery and delicatessen which doubles as a flower shop. Sandra Bullock also runs her own production company, Fortis Films. Clearly Hollywood's top earning actress has a lot going for her as an entrepreneur.

Robert De Niro: The actor widely known for his powerhouse volatile roles owns an upscale sushi restaurant, Nobu, which now has 24 locations in many parts of the world. De Niro is also part owner of Ago, an Italian café that first opened up in Los Angeles but now has branches in New York City, Miami and Las Vegas. The veteran actor also heads his own production company, Tribeca Film Center.

Gwen Stefani: Singer-songwriter to fashion designer, Gwen Stefani has been applauded for both. The singer launched her high-end women's clothing line, L.A.M.B in 2004, named after her 2005 solo album Love Angel Music Baby. Fashion designing was not an impulse for her either - Stefani is fully involved with the production of her line, which has expanded to include shoes, handbags, jewelry and a collection of fragrances.

Jay-Z: Jay-Z has made a name for himself as a rapper and a businessman. In 1996 he formed his own record label, Roc-a-Fella Records. It was the same year as the debut of his first album, Reasonable Doubt. In 2003, Jay-Z stepped outside the music world, opening the 40/40 Night Club in New York City, which has since become a national franchise. In 2007 the celebrated rapper sold his clothing line, Rocawear, for a whopping $204 million.

Clint Eastwood: The Academy Award winning actor and director tried his hand at politics, successfully running for mayor of Carmel, California, for a single term. Clint Eastwood the entrepreneur owns his own production company, Malpaso Productions, as well as two 18-hole golf courses in California. In 2009, he was ranked at No. 33 on the Forbes list of 100 most powerful celebrities

Victoria Beckham: The singer, designer and business woman is worth a cool £30m on her own, according to the 2011 Sunday Times Rich List. Mrs B's moolah mainly comes from her Spice Girl days.

Her fashion business is yet to take off full steam, but several A-Listers including Kate Winslet, Gwyneth Paltrow and Oprah Winfrey have favoured her designs. If all goes well, the new Duchess of Cambridge could well be among her clientele soon.

Jennifer Aniston: The former F.R.I.E.N.D.S star is making “smart” moves in the world of business. She recently closed a deal to endorse Smartwater (a brand of water with electrolytes). According to Forbes, in October 2007, Aniston was the top-selling celebrity face of the entertainment industry. The actress has also launched her celebrity scent, joining other celebrities who have stepped to the world of fragrance.

Jennifer Lopez: The backup dancer turned successful actor and musician has well-honed business skills which generate big bucks for her. These include a successful JLo perfume line and a Cuban restaurant called Madre's in California. In 2009, Forbes estimated her net worth at $110 million.

While whatever she touches turns to gold, Jlo's one exception was her clothing line, Sweetface, launched in 2003. In 2009, the line was closed down after the spring collection due to poor sales. A company statement said the brand would be re-launched in the future with new messaging. Hoping to be second-time lucky, JLo has launched a lifestyle brand at Kohl's department stores with husband Marc Anthony and designer Tommy Hilfiger, recently.

While Hollywood stars invest wisely, the story is no different in the reported $2.2 billion Indian movie industry. Behind the song and dance of Bollywood are several astute business minds. Read on.

Mithun Chakraborty: Among the first Indian stars to turn to business from cinema is “disco dancer” of the 80s, Mithun Chakraborty. The actor set up the luxury Monarch Hotel in Ooty. The Monarch Group also has other interests in the hospitality sector.

Amitabh Bachchan: Bollywood's legendary actor tried his hand at entrepreneurship with the Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited (ABCL) in 1995. The company focused on film production and event management but was plagued by financial difficulties from early days. The company was launched again by Amitabh Bachchan in 2001 as AB Corp. Bahu Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is reportedly actively adding her business acumen to the collective Bachchan wisdom. AB Corp has produced hits such as Paa in 2009 and the just-released Bbuddah... Hoga Tera Baap.

Shah Rukh Khan: He may be an entertainer first, but Shah Rukh Khan is no less an entrepreneur. He began a film production company with wife Gauri Khan in 2002. Red Chillies Entertainments has since ventured into other spheres of production, including TV production.

SRK has also heavily invested in the Indian Premier League (IPL), as owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders. Previously there were reports of SRK investing in a real-estate venture in Dubai, though this appears to have folded up.

Sushmita Sen: The famed beauty queen has her own production house called Tantra Entertainment. But movie production was put on hold when recession hit the film industry. However Sushmita continues to focus on the I Am She contest — in which she also plays mentor to the girls selected from across India for the Miss Universe pageant – to keep the focus on her company.

Suniel Shetty: Bollywood's popular action star owns a production company called Popcorn Motion Pictures Ltd. The actor also owns a chain specializing in Udupi cuisine and a series of boutiques named Mischief in Mumbai.

In 2008, Suniel Shetty expanded the Mischief range with an exclusive tie-up with a Canada-based garment line. Though the actor had said he would maintain more than a passing interest in the garment business, not much has been heard of in recent times.

Preity Zinta: Last year the pretty actor enrolled for a course at the Harvard Business School and many said it was her transition from movies to business. In 2008, Preity set the ball rolling by acquiring a stake in IPL team Kings XI Punjab with then boyfriend and businessman, Ness Wadia.

Though Preity and Ness split the following year, their business venture continued. Just last month there were rumours that the two were back again as a couple. Either way Preity Zinta's business ventures continue to get top billing.

In 2007, Shilpa launched her S2 perfume in London, and within 2 weeks it climbed to number 3 in the UK Fragrance Chart. She beat competition from several internal stars in the competitive perfume market.

Shilpa's business ventures continued with cricket. She is the third actor after Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta to invest in an IPL team. In 2009, she and then business partner, UK-based entrepreneur Raj Kundra, brought an approximately 12 per cent stake in the Rajasthan Royals.

With one of Bollywood's best-looking bodies, Shilpa later began a spa business. However, earlier this year there were reports of financial issues plaguing the spa venture. Shilpa dismissed the rumours, saying she had planned some surprises to boost the business at the spas.