Sandra Bullock is back, baby!

After a two year layoff, Sandra Bullock came back  strong in 2009.  (Courtesy:  Warner Bros.)

When she's not on a movie set, Sandra Bullock resides just outside Austin.

The sometimes Texan got some very good news just before the turn of the new year.  Quigley Publishing Co. announced that Bullock, who appeared in three films in 2009, roared back to stardom as the year's top Hollywood star.

According to a Reuters story posted on the Hollywood Reporter Web site, the honor is based on votes from hundreds of movie house executives.

"Bullock beat out such stars as George Clooney and Denzel Washington, on the strength of her roles in "The Proposal" and "The Blind Side," according to the story.

"All About Steve" was a comic clunker, of course.  But her two rousing successes pushed Bullock to the top of the list.

Who was close on her heels?  Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp and Tom Hanks also ranked high.  Check out the Hollywood Reporter story to fill out the rest of the Quigley list.