Brand name comedians Bill Cosby and Roseanne Arnold successfully parlayed their fame--and talent--into successful television programs as well.

FORBES: Networks Shine Their Stars

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger threatened to veto the bill, as he had done twice before, but Democrats pulled it last December believing that the incoming governor, Jerry Brown, would be much more sympathetic to a state single-payer bill.

FORBES: State Health Care Flexibility: The Good, the Bad and the Broke