It might be stating the obvious, but almost all celebrities are wealthy. Unless, of course, they somehow manage to splurge all their money. It’s a rare but pretty relatable situation among popular celebrities. Actors such as Kelsey Grammer and Charlie Sheen have made fat cheques during their time.
Generally speaking, even those who aren’t brushing shoulders with the A-listers earn more than what an average person makes. These are the kind of actors that platforms like Apple TV and Netflix are willing to pay millions of dollars just for them to star in a single project.
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1. Kelsey Grammer ($1.6 Million Per Episode)
Want to know how much TV’s longest-running characters have made? Remember Kelsey Grammer’s Frasier? Well, it raked him $1.6 million per episode during the show’s peak. The amount totaled around $38 million per season.
The show aired from 1993 to 2004 and follows the life of Frasier in Seattle. The show is known for blending sophisticated humor and great characters. The show writers also received critical acclaim for their witty-writting.
2. Charlie Sheen ($1.25 Million Per Episode)
When Two and a Half Men was at its peak, Charlie Sheen was said to be making $1.25 million per episode, and this is excluding his syndication earnings. It’s important to note that this was network TV with extensive seasons, so Charlie Sheen’s yearly income reached as high as $48 million.
The popular sitcom ran from 2003 to 2015 and delves into Charlie, his brother Alan, and Alan’s son Jake’s relationship. Despite being a controversial figure, Charlie Sheen’s performance is contributed to the show’s success.
3. Tim Allen ($1.25 Million Per Episode)
Tim Allen from Home Improvement secured a significant salary for portraying Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor. The actor made $1.25 million per episode during the show’s peak of popularity in 1997. The huge sum made him one of the highest-paid actors on television at that time.
Allen played an accident-prone TV host, and his love for tools often led to funny mishaps. The actor’s comedic timing contributed to the sitcom’s success during its run from 1991 to 1999.
4. The Cast Of FRIENDS ($1 Million Per Episode)
During the first season of FRIENDS, the cast made $22,500 per episode. However, as the show became popular, the cast successfully renegotiated their salaries, reaching an impressive $1 million per episode during the final seasons of the show.
The show became a cultural phenomenon and ran from 1994 to 2004. It focused on the lives of six friends living in New York. The show’s relatable storytelling has made it a fan favorite with a high rewatch quotient.
5. Jerry Seinfeld ($1 Million Per Episode)
Jerry Seinfeld did not become a highly-paid TV actor until Season 4 of Seinfeld, receiving $100,000 per episode. His cheques started getting bigger, reaching $500,000 per episode for Seasons 7 and 8. He eventually hit the $1 million per episode mark with Season 9 of the popular show.
The show, which aired from 1989 to 1998, focuses on the everyday lives of Jerry Seinfeld and his friends in New York City. Known for its observational humor, the sitcom has now become a cultural phenomenon, influencing shows for years to come.
6. David Hyde ($1 Million Per Episode)
It wasn’t just Kelsey Grammer who was making the big bucks on Frasier. David Hyde, who played his on-screen brother, also managed to secure a fat cheque of $1 million per episode for the final two seasons, totaling around $44 million.
Hyde played Dr. Niles Crane in the show. His character added a layer of comedic depth with his eccentric personality. HIs captivating performance was loved by fans and critics alike, earning him several awards during the show’s run from 1993 to 2004.
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7. Secondary Cast Of The Big Bang Theory ($800,000 Per Episode)
Kunal Nayyar and Simon Helberg received a salary of $800,000 per episode when the show became very popular among viewers. This made them the highest-paid actors in TV, even though they weren’t considered the primary stars of The Big Bang Theory.
The sitcom aired from 2007 to 2019 and explores the lives of physicists Leonard and Sheldon and their friends. The show is filled with geeky references, and its witty writing makes the characters even more loving.
8. Ashton Kutcher ($700,000 Per Episode)
After taking the mantle from Charlie Sheen for Two and a Half Men, Ashton Kutcher managed to get a salary of $700,000 per episode. This salary earned him the title of being 2013’s highest-paid sitcom actor on TV.
Kutcher joined the cast of the sitcom in 2011. His character, Walden Schmidt, is showcased as a billionaire who is naive. The actor brought a fresh take to the sitcom, contributing to its success until its final season in 2015.
9. Hugh Laurie ($700,000 Per Episode)
Hugh Laurie raked in significant profits when he was starring in House. Even before the show reached its peak, he earned $300,000 per episode ($7 million per season). His earnings were increased to $700,000 per episode ($16 million per season).
It is a medical drama that ran from 2004 to 2012. Hugh Laurie took on the role of Dr. Gregory House. The show followed House’s unconventional methods, garnering critical acclaim for its impeccable storytelling and captivating performances.
10. Core Cast Of The Big Bang Theory ($350,000 Per Episode)
During the first three seasons of The Big Bang Theory, Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, and Kaley Cuoco earned $60,000 per episode ($3.7 million per season). However, as the show peaked, their cheques became bigger.
By Season 4, the trio renegotiated their contracts, securing $200,000 per episode ($4.8 million per season). They earned $250,000 per episode in Season 5 ($6 million per season), $300,000 per episode in Season 6 ($7.2 million per season), and $350,000 per episode in Season 7 ($8.4 million per season).
