Grumpy Cat earns more than Gwyneth Paltrow

But the piercing stare and air of withering contempt has proved astonishingly lucrative for the cat's owner, Tabatha Bundesen of Morristown, Arizona.

In just two years the cat - whose real name is Tardar Sauce - has made $120 million from an array of products, including best-selling books and a film.

Not surprisingly Ms Bundesen believes her pet is "unstoppable".

She said: "What she's achieved in such a short time is unimaginable and absolutely mind-blowing.

"I was able to quit my job as a waitress within days of her first appearance on social media and the phone simply hasn't stopped ringing since."

Grumpy's earnings have dwarfed those of many of Hollywood's biggest names such as Gwyneth Paltrow who, according to Forbes magazine, earned just over $22 million last year.

The cat is also outstripping the world's top footballers including Cristiano Ronaldo, whose total remuneration this year is estimated at $51 million.

Grumpy's permanent scowl is a result of her having been born with dwarfism and an underbite. She became an internet star after Ms Bundesen's brother posted a picture online.

The frown has proved irresistible on social media with 521,000 followers on Instagram and 255,000 on Twitter.

There has been a line of products including a an iced coffee, called Grumppuccino, and the cat is also "the face" of Friskies cat food.

Grumpy's big screen debut is coming soon, The film Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever has been billed as a cross between Home Alone and Die Hard.

Telegraph, London