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The verdict has been handed down: Judge Judy Sheindlin is the highest-paid personality on television.
Sheindlin, who’s starred in Judge Judy for 21 seasons, earns an estimated $47 million per year, according to a Variety. In the reality/host/news category, that’s nearly twice as much as Today show host Matt Lauer (est. $22 million to $25 million).
The Big Bang Theory‘s trio of actors rake in the most for scripted comedies. Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, and Johnny Galecki all earn approximately $1 million per episode of the hit CBS sitcom.
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The rough estimates were determined by Variety consulting industry sources and reflect the most current season of each respective series, the publication said. See the top 5 in each category below and the full lists at Variety.
Comedy
1. Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory, $1,000,000 per episode
2. Kaley Cuoco, The Big Bang Theory, $1,000,000 per episode
3. Johnny Galecki, The Big Bang Theory, $1,000,000 per episode
4. Dwayne Johnson, Ballers, $400,000 per episode
5. Drew Barrymore, Santa Clarita Diet, $350,000 per episode
Drama
1. Lauren Graham, Gilmore Girls, $750,000 per episode
2. Alexis Bledel, Gilmore Girls, $750,000 per episode
3. Mark Harmon, NCIS, $525,000 per episode
4. Kevin Spacey, House of Cards, $500,000 per episode
5. Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones, $500,000 per episode
Reality/Host/News
1. Judy Sheindlin, Judge Judy, $47 million per year
2. Matt Lauer, Today, $22-$25 million per year
3. Ellen DeGeneres, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, $20 million per year
4.Bill O’Reilly, The O’Reilly Factor, $18-$20 million per year
5.Kelly Ripa, Live With Kelly, $16-$20 million per year