When the average person thinks of the highest paid actors in Hollywood, they automatically think of the actors that appear in the blockbuster movies that are released throughout the course of the year; however, TV stars have more consistent work, and the top TV stars make quite a lucrative take from their work on the small screen. In 2016, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was the highest paid actor in Hollywood, grossing over $64 million dollars. Let’s see how the world’s TV actors measured up for bottom to top. Interestingly enough. “The Rock” has found a way to break his way into this list as well.
20. Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon is an actor that has experienced exceptional success when it comes to the Big Screen. She has experienced a rather illustrious career over the last couple of decades. With TV providing consistent income for several years at a time, it is easy to see why many actors and actresses are flocking to the small screen for a piece of the action. Witherspoon worked alongside perennial super star, Nicole Kidman in the New TV series, Big Little Lies. It is not surprising that a heavy hitter in cable TV, like HBO, was willing to offer the big bucks in order to secure the likes of Kidman and Witherspoon for the new series. According to reports, the stars were lured in by the promise of $350,000 per episode. This means that this show will net Witherspoon approximately $2.5 million for the entire year.
19. Jonah Hill
Jonah Hill has proven that he has the capacity to nail comedic roles, and he has even proven that he can play a gun runner in the middle east. When a person experiences this much success in one genre, it is not surprising that they are enticed to take on new challenges, and at $350,000 per episode, it is not a surprise that he has accepted the challenge to work alongside Emma Stone in the new series, Maniac.
18. Emma Stone
Emma Stone is no secret to the fans of the big screen, where she has built a rather impressive A-list career. Despite this remarkable career on the big screen, Stone was lured to TV to start the shooting of a new TV series entitled Maniac. Stone is reportedly being paid $350,000 per episode to shoot this series, where she will be starring alongside Jonah Hill, who has also fared well on the big screen. So, it is not surprising that the two hold the 18th and 19thspots on this list.
17. Drew Barrymore
If you are not a Netflix and Chill fan, you may not be familiar with the Santa Clarita Diet; however, the show is definitely developing a strong following, and Barrymore is bringing in an impressive $350,000 per episode. The show is a dark comedy that also stars Timothy Olyphant, in which a husband and wife realtor team lead relatively uneventful lives, with one exception – Barrymore’s character kills and eats bad people. The show has just been renewed by Netflix for another season, and the writers are off and running.
16. Ellen Pompeo
Grey’s Anatomy is another show that has solidified its spot in the world of TV, and any star that can find their place on this show will definitely experience success at a high level. Ellen Pompeo can definitely attest to this fact, earning $400,000 dollars per episode for her role on the show. Ellen is currently worth more than $30 million dollars and Grey’s Anatomy is definitely contributing to her increasing net worth.
15. Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Johnson has rapidly developed a reputation for being the hardest working man in Hollywood. He is the highest grossing actor over all mediums, having grossed $64 million in 2016, and while the vast majority of that was earned on the big screen, Johnson’s role in Ballers has landed him in the 15th spot on the top paid TV actors around the world. If Johnson continues with his current work ethic, it is likely that we will see him move up a couple slots by this time next year. Johnson is proving that he has the staying power to make acting a real foundation of his entertainment career. The persona of “The Rock” as a wrestler is almost completely overshadowed by Dwayne Johnson the professional and consummate actor. With his work ethic, it is likely that he will find himself on this again next year.
14. Mariska Hargitay
When you think about staying power in TV, Mariska Hargitay definitely comes to mind. Her role as Olivia on Law & Order: Special Victim’s Unit has rewarded her with a salary that is worth $450,000 per episode. Her character has been a central focus of the show for its entirety, and yet the fans have not grown tired of seeing it. It is not clear how much longer the show will continue, but one thing is clear, and that is that Mariska placed her stamp on the show.
13. Claire Danes
Homeland is another TV series that has found its groove in prime time TV and Claire Danes is capitalizing on the popularity of the show and her ability to bring her role to life. For her contributions to the show, she will receive a whopping $450,000 per episode. With an opportunity to renegotiate her salary, she may very well find the opportunity to move up on this list for 2018.
12. Lena Headey
If you have not seen or at least heard of Game of Thrones, then you have been living underneath a rock for the last several years. The show’s popularity is still growing, and it is not surprising that one of its key character actors has landed on the highest paid TV actors list for 2017. Lena Headey is one of several stars on the show that is slated to make $500,000 per episode this year.
11. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
We can’t leave out Nikola Coster-Waldau if we are going to be cataloging the top paid actors from Game of Thrones. What is noteworthy is the fact that these actors are simply the highest paid actors on their show, they have made the top 20 highest paid TV actors in the world. From the looks of things, they will be around for some time to come. He will also bring home a nice check worth $500,000 per episode.
10. Emilia Clarke
Clarke is another actor that is benefiting from the huge presence that Game of Thrones has created within the TV world – laying her claim to a nice salary of $500,000 per episode. Clarke’s been one of the biggest successes of the show and it’s landed her an abundance of movie roles and opportunities outside of GOT. Some speculate that she’ll have one of the biggest post Game of Thrones careers when all is said and done.
9. Kit Harington
As with Headey, Kit Harington is cashing in on the popularity and momentum that Game of Thrones is producing. With a show that has such a complex plot, the door is opened for multiple actors to find their name and place among the TV greats. If there is such thing as show domination on this list, Game of Thrones at least deserves an honorable mention, and maybe even top billing. Although none of the actors have landed in the top five, they are closing out the top ten with force. As with Headey, Harrington will make $500,000 per episode.
8. Mayim Bialik
Now it’s time to start with the cast of the Big Bang Theory. Because of the low starting point due to their later start on the show, Melissa Rauch and Mayim Bialik ended up in the range of $425,000-$500,000 per episode, with the other five cast members reportedly pitching in each $100,000 an episode toward the duo’s raises. It’s a well deserved salary considering The Big Bang Theory is the most successful comedy on television.
7. Melissa Rauch
Because their characters have become an integral and equal part of the show’s ensemble, with Bialik earning four Emmy nominations for her role, the Rauch and Bialik had been seeking parity with the just-under $1 million an episode original cast members Parsons, Galecki, Cuoco, Helberg and Nayyar will command for the next two seasons. Looks like Rauch got her wish along with Bialik since she too is pulling over $425,000 per episode.
6. Kevin Spacey
When the name Kevin Spacey pops up, most people’s minds will automatically channel through to the big screen, where is has been superb for so long; however, Spacey is proving that his acting skills have range and diversity. Spacey is a key character in the Netflix original TV drama, “House of Cards.” With the House of Cards doing so well this season, and with Spacey being up for a new contract, it is possible that he may move up in the standings for next year. As for now, his $10.5 million will hold down the sixth spot on the list of highest paid TV actors in 2017.
5. Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris is no stranger to TV, having been a child star cutting his teeth in the industry. As Doogie Houser, Allen built his brand and became a highly recognizable face. For the longest, it was hard for him to shake the stereotyping as Doogie Houser, but his role on How I Met Your Mother has breathed new life into his TV career. He is doing so well, that he is expected to earn more than $16 million this year. With substantial endorsement deals on the table, Harris has solidified the fourth spot on the prestigious list.
4. Mark Harmon
When one thinks of the highest paid TV actors, Mark Harmon is probably not at the top of the list, but he probably should be. Harmon is the center focus of the most watched shows and the leading drama series on TV in the entire world – NCIS. Mark’s role on this show has helped in garnering over $20 million this year in earnings. Harmon has been with the show for 11 years, and he does not have any book deals or major endorsement deals, so this show is how he is making the vast majority of his money.
3. Kunal Nayyar and Simon Helberg
In case you actually thought it was a fluke, the Big Bang Theory brings in two actors at the number three spot. Kunal Nayyar plays the character Raj Koothrappali on The Big Bang Theory, and his association with the show will help him earn an impressive $22 million this year. While a substantial amount of his earnings will come from his salary on The Big Bang Theory, he has experienced substantial success with the sale of his memoir, “Yes, My Accent is Real.” Helberg AKA Harold Walowitz, also pulls in over $20 million.
2. Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco
Johnny Galecki is another Big Bang Theory cast member who made this year’s cut for the highest paid TV actors in the world. With a per episode salary of $1 million, Galecki makes a strong showing in the second place slot. This is also the second year in a row in which he has held his spot. The question now is, can he renegotiate his contract or land some more TV commercials, in order wrestle away that number one spot from his cast mate, or will someone completely new move up and surprise the both of them. Cuoco, the other half of the duo on Big Bang also pulled in over a million.
1. Jim Parsons
The Big Bang Theory obviously has a large following and it has proven that it has staying power. In fact, for the second year in a row, Jim Parsons has taken the top spot when it comes to top paid TV actors. The vast majority of his take is his salary from the Big Bang Theory. It is estimated that Parsons will make a whopping $25.5 million this year. When measured by earnings, Parson’s has established himself as the king of the small screen. Will he be able to keep his winning streak going for another year, or will he be taken over by another TV star, maybe a cast mate from The Big Bang Theory?
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