NEWSSimon Cowell Is the Highest-Paid Man on Primetime TV
Nov. 11 2009, Published 2:39 p.m. ET
He may have a reputation as the meanest man on screen, but being nasty has made Simon Cowell serious bank: The American Idol judge is the best paid man on primetime television.
Simon, 50, made $75 million dollars between June 1, 2008 and June 1, 2009, reports Forbes magazine, in its list of Prime Time's Top-Earning Men.
Real-estate mogul-turned reality show host Donald Trump comes in at No. 2 after banking $50 million this year.
Ryan Seacrest takes the No. 3 slot after earning $38 million during the 12-month period. The AI host, 34, also hosts his own radio show and E! News and he develops and produces TV shows, including E!'s Keeping Up With the Kardashians.
The three-year, $45 million contract Ryan signed this summer with parent of AI producer, 19 Entertainment, will count toward next year's earnings.
Here's the list in full:
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- Donald Trump Jokes He 'Can't Get' Elon Musk 'Out' of Mar-a-Lago After Appointing Him to His Administration
- Meghan Markle Almost 'Ruined' Her Image in the U.K. After Discussing Her Romance With Prince Harry in 2017 Interview
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1. Simon Cowell - $75 million
2. Donald Trump - $50 million
3. Ryan Seacrest - $38 million
4. Charlie Sheen - $21 million
5. Steve Carell - $20 million
6. Howie Mandel - $15 million
7. Kiefer Sutherland - $13 million
8. Jeff Foxworthy - $11 million
9. Hugh Laurie - $10 million
10. David Caruso - $9 million (tie)
10. Patrick Dempsey - $9 million (tie)
