| 100% | TANEHISICOATES | 14 | Essayist who published 16-Across as his debut novel: 2 wds., hyph. |
| 37% | TIMETRAVELERS | 13 | "The ___ Wife," bestselling debut novel by Audrey Niffenegger published in 2003 about a man who moves through time and his wife: 2 wds. |
| 34% | OFMARRIED | 9 | "The World Is Full ___ Men," English novelist Jackie Collins' (birthday today) debut novel published in 1968: 2 wds. |
| 33% | BARACKOBAMA | 11 | 44th US president who published "Dreams From My Father" in 1995, before his election to Illinois's legislature: 2 wds. |
| 33% | THENAMESAKE | 11 | Debut novel by 25-Across/27-Across that was adapted as a film starring Kal Penn and directed by Mira Nair (2 wds.) |
| 33% | CITYSLICKERS | 12 | Comedy film starring 42-Across as a New Yorker who goes on a cattle drive with his friends (2 wds.) |
| 32% | RESERVOIRDOGS | 13 | 1992 Quentin Tarantino movie which also served as his directorial debut: 2 wds. |
| 31% | DUKEELLINGTON | 13 | Jazz bandleader who adopted 45-Across as his orchestra's signature song (2 wds.) |
| 31% | ABOUTGRACE | 10 | 28-Across's debut novel, which tells the story of a man who dreams events that later come true (2 wds.) |
| 30% | REDHOOD | 7 | Street orphan whom Batman adopts as his second son in the comics: 2 wds. |
| 30% | SETHMACFARLANE | 14 | Actor who starred in and made his directorial debut with 2012's "Ted": 2 wds. |
| 30% | ANGELINAJOLIE | 13 | "Maleficent" star who married 16-Across on 8/23/14: 2 wds. |
| 30% | ITSYOU | 6 | Promotional single by Zayn from his debut solo album: 2 wds. |
| 29% | THEREWERENONE | 13 | "And Then ___," Agatha Christie's best selling novel published in 1939 about a group of strangers who arrive as guests on a private island: 3 wds. |
| 29% | AURORADAWN | 10 | Debut novel by 43-Across subtitled "Or, the True History of Andrew Reale" (2 wds.) |
| 29% | BOBBRYAN | 8 | Tennis player who won 16 Grand Slam doubles titles and a 2012 Olympic gold medal with his twin brother, Mike: 2 wds. |
| 29% | RUTHRENDELL | 11 | Mystery author who wrote several novels as Barbara Vine: 2 wds. |
| 29% | STEPHENKING | 11 | Horror author who wrote several novels as Richard Bachman: 2 wds. |
| 29% | BRADLEYCOOPER | 13 | Actor who starred in and made his directorial debut with 2018's "A Star Is Born": 2 wds. |
| 29% | JIMMYCARTER | 11 | 39th US president who published "Why Not the Best?" in 1976, for his presidential campaign: 2 wds. |
| 29% | ANANSIBOYS | 10 | 16-Across's 2005 novel featuring trickster Mr. Nancy, who's also in 28-Across: 2 wds. |
| 28% | LEONARDMALTIN | 13 | Film critic who published an annual "Movie Guide" from 1969 to 2014: 2 wds. |
| 28% | HANKAZARIA | 10 | "The Simpsons" voice actor who won an Emmy for his guest role as Ed Cochran on 43-Across: 2 wds. |
| 28% | GEORGECLOONEY | 13 | Actor who starred in and made his directorial debut with 2002's "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind": 2 wds. |
| 28% | KILLINGFLOOR | 12 | Debut novel by 25-Across that was the basis for the first season of "Reacher" (2 wds.) |
| 28% | ZAKIYA | 6 | With 15 and 16 Across, writer with the 2021 debut novel "The Other Black Girl" |
| 28% | ELIZABETHBANKS | 14 | "Pitch Perfect" actress who directed 16-Across and plays Susan Bosley in it: 2 wds. |
| 27% | ANALYZETHIS | 11 | Comedy film starring 42-Across as psychiatrist who treats a mob boss (2 wds.) |
| 27% | ELBA | 4 | Actor Idris who made his Coachella debut as a DJ in 2019 |
| 27% | LOVEMEDICINE | 12 | 32-Across's debut novel about folk magic healing relationships (2 wds.) |