Becoming a comedy TV star, specifically the lead on a sitcom, is a nearly impossible task.
And yet, if you do manage to strike gold and become a sitcom star, the monetary rewards
are phenomenal.
Sitcom stars are paid astronomical wages per episode and often are able to use their success
to go off and make even more money elsewhere.
In this video, we’re taking a look at the top earners in TV history when it comes to
their salary per episode.
So stay tuned, as Facts Verse presents: He’s Officially the Highest Paid Television Star
of All Time
Jerry Seinfeld Jerry Seinfeld is known best for his iconic
stand-up comedy and the hit television series “Seinfeld.”
“Seinfeld” became one of the most successful and influential television shows of all time,
earning Jerry several Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award.
The show’s popularity also made Seinfeld one of the most successful comedians in the
industry, and he went on to earn millions of dollars from stand-up comedy tours, television
appearances, and endorsement deals.
In 1997 he earned $1 million per episode of “Seinfeld.”
Adjusted for inflation, that’s $1,663,000 per episode, which puts him at #7 on our list.
He has also earned millions of dollars from endorsement deals, including a $10 million
deal with Microsoft in 2008.
Born on April 29, 1954, in New York, Seinfeld began his career as a stand-up comedian in
the late 1970s, performing at clubs and colleges throughout the United States.
He gained national recognition with his appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson”
in 1981.
That eventually led to him getting a deal wo write and star in a sitcom based around
his stand up.
After “Seinfeld” ended, Seinfeld continued to perform stand-up comedy and hosted the
popular web series “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.”
He also created and produce” the Emmy-nominated series “The Marriage Ref” and the Netflix
special “Jerry Seinfeld: 23 Hours to Kill.”
Tim Allen Tim Allen gained national recognition with
his appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” in 1989.
But that was merely a drop in the bucket when it comes to his fame, as it led to his own
television show, “Home Improvement,” in 1991.
The show became a massive success, running for eight seasons and earning Allen numerous
award nominations.
During the final season of “Home Improvement,” he was reportedly earning $1.25 million per
episode.
Adjusted for inflation, that’s $2,033,000 per episode, making him the 6th highest paid
TV star ever.
He has also earned millions of dollars from film roles and endorsement deals.
In addition to his work on “Home Improvement,” Allen has also appeared in several popular
films, including the “Toy Story” franchise, “The Santa Clause” trilogy, and “Galaxy
Quest.”
He has also hosted several television shows, including “Last Man Standing,” which ran
for nine seasons.
Reese Witherspoon Born on March 22, 1976, in Louisiana, Witherspoon
began her acting career at a young age, appearing in commercials and television shows before
making her feature film debut in “The Man in the Moon” in 1991.
She gained critical acclaim for her powerful performance in the film and continued to work
steadily throughout the 90s, with roles in films such as “Fear” and “Pleasantville.”
In 2001, Witherspoon starred in the hit comedy film “Legally Blonde,” which earned her
a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy.
She went on to reprise her role as Elle Woods in the sequel, “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White
& Blonde.”
Witherspoon also received critical acclaim for her performance in the drama “Walk the
Line,” for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress in 2006.
As one of the most successful actresses in the industry, Witherspoon has earned a massive
salary throughout her career.
She recently earned a reported $2 million per episode of “The Morning Show,” which
she also executive produced.
Adjust for inflation, that’s $2,120,000 per episode.
That makes her tied for number 4 on our list.
(Along with out next entry…)
In addition to her acting career, Witherspoon is additionally a successful producer.
She founded her own production company, Hello Sunshine, in 2016, which has produced several
successful television shows and films, including “Big Little Lies” and “Little Fires
Everywhere.”
Jennifer Aniston Jennifer Aniston might be best known for her
iconic role as Rachel Green on the hit television series “Friends”, but the reason she’s
on this list is, surprisingly, for her salary from the recent hit show, “The Morning Show.”
That show, for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama
Series, allowed Aniston to rake in $2 million per episode.
Adjust for inflation, that’s $2,120,000 per episode.
That makes her tied for number 4 (with Reese Witherspoon) on our list.
Of course, huge salaries are nothing new for Aniston, who earned $1 million per episode
of “Friends” during the show’s final two seasons.
She and her other 5 primary costars each earned that incredible amount.
In addition, she has earned millions of dollars from film roles and endorsement deals with
companies such as Emirates airline and Aveeno skincare.
Born on February 11, 1969, in California, Aniston began her acting career in the late
80s with roles in off-Broadway productions and several television shows.
However, it was her iconic role as Rachel Green on "Friends" that launched her to international
fame and cemented her status as one of the most popular actresses of her generation.
After “Friends” ended its groundbreadking 10-year run in 2004, Aniston continued to
act in film and television.
She has appeared in a number of successful films, including “Marley & Me,” “The
Break-Up,” and “Horrible Bosses.”
She has also made guest appearances on several television shows, including “30 Rock”
and “Cougar Town.”
Charlie Sheen Charlie Sheen is an American actor, writer,
and producer, known for his roles in both film and television.
Born on September 3, 1965, in New York City, Sheen comes from a family of actors, including
his father Martin Sheen and brother Emilio Estevez.
Sheen began his acting career in the early 1980s, with roles in films such as “Red
Dawn” and “Platoon,” for which he earned critical acclaim.
He then transitioned to television, starring in the hit sitcom “Two and a Half Men”
from 2003 to 2011.
During his tenure on the show, Sheen was one of the highest-paid actors in TV history,
earning a reported $1.8 million per episode.
When adjust for inflation, that’s $2,168,000 an episode, which makes him #3 on our list.
However, Sheen’s time on “Two and a Half Men” was also marked by controversy.
In 2011, he was fired from the show after publicly criticizing the show’s creator
and executive producer, Chuck Lorre.
Sheen’s erratic behavior and personal struggles with substance abuse also made headlines during
this time.
Despite the controversy, Sheen has continued to act in film and television, with notable
roles in “Anger Management,” “Scary Movie 5,” and “Machete Kills.”
He has also made guest appearances on several television shows, including “The Goldbergs”
and “The Big Bang Theory.”
Kelsey Grammer Kelsey Grammer is best known for his iconic
role as Dr. Frasier Crane in the hit television series “Cheers” and its spin-off, “Frasier.”
During the peak of his career, he was reportedly earning $1.6 million per episode for “Frasier.”
When adjusted for inflation, this is $2,295,000 per episode.
That makes him the second highest actor in history for TV salaries.
Born on February 21, 1955, in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Grammer began his career
in the early 1980s with guest appearances on several television shows.
However, his breakthrough role came in 1984 when he was cast as Dr. Frasier Crane in the
hit NBC sitcom “Cheers.”
He played the role for nine seasons and won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting
Actor in a Comedy Series.
In 1993, Grammer reprised his role as Frasier Crane in the spin-off series “Frasier,”
which became one of the most successful television shows in history, running for 11 seasons and
winning numerous awards.
Grammer’s performance as the pompous but lovable psychiatrist won him four Primetime
Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
Ray Romano Ray Romano was the creator and star of the
hit sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond,” which aired from 1996 to 2005.
Romano started his career in stand-up comedy in the late 1980s and gained national attention
with his appearances on “The Late Show with David Letterman.”
Everybody Loves Raymond, which was based on his own life and family experiences, was a
huge success.
Romano became one of the highest-paid television actors of all time.
At the peak of the show’s popularity, he was earning a salary of $ 1.725 million per
episode.
When you adjust for inflation this bumps up to $2,359,000, making him the highest-paid
actor on television, ever.
In addition to his work on “Everybody Loves Raymond,” Romano has appeared in a number
of films, including “Welcome to Mooseport,” “Grilled,” and “The Big Sick.”
He has also lent his voice to several animated films, including “Ice Age” and its sequels.
Romano has won several awards for his work, including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead
Actor in a Comedy Series in 2002.
He has also been nominated for several other Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen
Actors Guild Award.
He has published a memoir, “Everything and a Kite,” as well as several children’s
books.
These TV shows have not only turned many of these actors and actresses into major stars,
but they’ve paid them huge amount of money in the process.
Now it’s time to hear from you.
Were you surprised that Ray Romano was the highest-paid TV star of all time when adjusted
for inflation?
Were there any other names on the list that surprised you?
Let us know in the comments section below!