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August 28, 2007

Top 10 Highest Paid TV Stars

Simon Cowell

American Idol judge Simon Cowell earns a whopping $45 million a year, but is it enough to knock the queen of television off her throne? Apparently not. Earning over five times that amount, Oprah Winfrey who rakes in an amazing $260 million a year from her own show as well as guest appearances on “Rachel Ray,” “Dr. Phil” and other programs puts Simon Cowell to shame.

Here’s the complete list from TV Guide:

1. Oprah Winfrey – $260 million a year
2. Simon Cowell – $45 million a year
3. Judge Judy – $30 million a year
4. Katie Couric – $15 million a year
5. Zach Braff – $6.3 million a year
6. William Petersen – $500,000 (per episode)
7. Charlie Sheen – $350,000 (per episode)
8. Mariska Hargitay – $350,000 (per episode)
9. Christopher Meloni – $350,000 (per episode)
10. Hugh Laurie – $300,000 (per episode)

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  • http://www.erapo.szm.sk Lenka

    $260 million a year. o.O
    can somebody earn more than she?

    Hugh Laurie 300k – i can’t believe it. it is so much, and he is not as good actor as Meloni or Sheen.

  • AllaN

    Judge Judy makes $30 million a year…. Wow, thats unbelievable. And my opinion is Simon is overpaid for being a jerk of a judge. Nice choice of photo for simon for this article by the way, he looks like a total good ball!
    -AllaN

  • http://a.dropofcolour.com aurora

    Funny how the world works… Judge Judy has a salary more than a Supreme Court Justice (ex. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg ) who only have a low, six figure salary.

  • http://www.xanga.com/lawrencel715 lawrencel715

    that’s surprising that judge judy earns so much.

    i’m also surprised zach braff is up there. didn’t know scrubs was that huge. i mean it’s one of my favorite shows, but i can imagine that not many people would like its humor.

    if seinfeld were still around, all 4 of those actors would be in that top ten. didn’t they each earn a million per episode by seasons’ end?

  • http://www.myspace.com/tummie tummie

    damn how can they make so much for just being on tv and all ?? Why cant us normal ppl just make as much as them without the fam of Hollywood and all ????

  • interpol

    Well, I guess Oprah being at the top is pretty understandable. Simon is, even though many dislike him, still pretty darn popular. I was definitely surprised seeing Judge Judy on the list. And woot for Hugh Laurie.

  • beni

    Simon deserves that much for pulling off the lovable asshole angle the way he does.

  • http://www.virb.com/artofdavidhong David

    With Oprah’s salary, I could manage to purchase 3-4 Bluff Italian Villas or buy a few villas somewhere else exotic. Pop in a few sports cars while I’m at it. I’m pretty sure that she makes as much or more as Benny Hinn does. Now thats a man with money.

  • Dexter Kanuto

    I can’t believe that a superstar on T.V. can acquire a million dollars for just one episode. Unbelievable.

  • http://www.kineda.com Tami Ng

    What the hell? #2 is Simon? I’m doing something wrong…

  • kewlger

    damn oprah.. damn…
    david caruso should get 1 mil per csi: miami ep haha

  • http://moeys.net/2007/09/03/top-10-highest-paid-tv-stars/ Moey’s » Top 10 Highest Paid TV Stars

    [...] + Source. [...]

  • http://www.wujianrong.com kevinwu

    Wow,there are Wealthy man.

  • ArtsWom

    It’s reassuring to me that a Brit can get to number 2! However, noone’s going to topple Oprah – that’s insane money…

    Hugh Laurie’s old comedic partner has something to say about how much his fellow Cambridge grad is earning in an interview being shown on British TV next week. Get an exclusive look at the transcript of the interview on my blog by clicking on the beautiful link…

  • http://moeys.net Moey

    I think he’s making the money out by being an ass as he always is, I hate the way he criticizes people because he just hurts them for no reason

  • keith_wyk

    why is simon’s face so dumb butt looking… sheesh.. can believe he’s earning close to my income. Stupid oaf… hahaha
    man.. how i wish i can be half of what he is.. But he still has a reason to be jealous of me though.
    I HAVE BIG DREAMS
    someone as successful as he is surely wouldn’t know what to dream of anymore.. pathethic.. :p

  • Tom

    Me thinks Oprah is two faced. Crying along with sob stories on her tv show while at the same time stuffing $260 million a year in her arse pocket.

  • Nate

    Oprah makes her millions with other peoples misfortunes. I wonder how much of her ridiculous salary does she donate to these people? I would think nothing. Those tears are crocodile tears, there is a lot of money in each of Oprah’s tear drops and it all ends up in her purse.

  • Natasha

    Oh come on hugh laurie is well worth 300K The rest uhm not so much !

  • David Anthony

    Nobody’s worth over 50K a year. Nobody. This is just ridiculous.

  • Drvb

    hahahahah hugh laurie is bad actor ? :) hahahahahahahahahahahah

  • Nchs_lax_21

    You are clearly just stupid. Sheen dosnt act he plays himself, Hugh Laurie acts with an american accent.

  • Dtstrading2

    When are we going to get rid of these pompous british idiots>

    Caralluma

  • Dtstrading2

    When are we going to get rid of these pompous british idiots>

    Caralluma

  • Dtstrading2

    When are we going to get rid of these pompous british idiots>

    Caralluma

  • Dtstrading2

    When are we going to get rid of these pompous british idiots>

    Caralluma

  • Dtstrading2

    When are we going to get rid of these pompous british idiots>

    Caralluma

  • Strencr2

     wow! the donald don`t even make the list .I guess a rod is underpaid? 

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