Top 10 Highest Paid TV Stars

The small screen has given rise to some of the most popular stars in the recent past. With their popularity, also came a high price tag. In the recent past there has been a surge in reality TV stars who have shot to fame for their antics on the small screen. Here is a list of the top 10 highest paid TV stars.

1. Oprah Winfrey

The talk show hostess who started her show in 1986, has the last season is due in 2011. The actor is also a producer and a philanthropist. She is known for her philanthropy which is not just limited to the show. She has her own magazine known as the O magazine.  She has been considered as one of ‘The Most Important People of the Century,’ by Time.com. She tops the list with earnings of approximately $ 315 million last year.

2. Judge Judy Sheindlin

The show Judge Judy is a rage with the audience. This American court show features the former family court judge Judith Sheindlin. The show started off in the year 1996 and has been extended till 2013, the seventeenth season of this show. Judge Judy is known for being blunt, truthful and outspoken judge in America.  She sits second on the list with earnings of $45 million.

3. David Letterman

The host of the ‘The Late Show of David Letterman,’ David Letterman, started his career as a weatherman. He started with his show in 1992. He has won several Emmy’s and other awards. He has had interviewed several eminent guests in his tenure. He sits third on this list with annual earnings of $28 million.

4. Ryan Seacrest

Ryan Seacrest is an American radio personality, television host, network producer and voice actor. He is also the host of E! News and American Idol. He started his career as the host of Radical Outdoor Challenge in 1993. He started hosting the American Idol with Brian Dunkleman in 2002. Since season two of American idol in 2003, he has been the lone host for the show. He is also the executive producer of several shows including, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Denise Richards: It’s Complicated and Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution. He sits fourth on this list with annual earnings of almost $15 million.

5. Kim Kardashian

She shot to limelight with the show ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ along with her family. Now she also stars in another reality show called ‘Kourtney & Kim Take New York’ alongside her sister Kourtney. She also earns handsomely with her endorsements deals Skechers sneakers, Kotex tampons and skin care brands Quick Trim with her sisters. The 30 year old has earned $6 million in 2010 alone and she charges $75,000 for an appearance.

6. Lauren K Conrad

On second place with earnings of $5 million is Lauren Conrad. She shot to fame with MTV’s reality show ‘Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County’ and then its spin off ‘The Hills.’ This multi talented actor who is also an author and fashion designer, released her first novel in a trilogy last year and the rest two this year. Her last book sold over 1 million copies; the trilogy is a young adult book.

7. Bethenny Frankel

Bethenny has many facets; she is a chef, an author and TV personality. She first arrived on the silver screen in 1994, with the movie ‘Hollywood Hills 90028.’ She returned to the small screen in 2005 in the show ‘The Apprentice: Martha Stewart.’ She then shot to fame with the show, ‘The Real Housewives of New York City’ in the year 2008. Today she has her own company series called, ‘Bethenny Getting Married?’ and has earned $4 million last year alone.

8. Charlie Sheen

The star of the sitcom ‘Two and a Half Men,’ Charlie Sheen, the son of Martin Sheen, is famous for his movies Vietnam War, Wall Street and Hot Shots! to name a few. The sitcom that started in 2003, has won several awards ever since. Charlie Sheen portrays the character of Charlie Harper, who is a composer and singer of children’s songs. He is on the top 10 highest paid star list with earnings of $1.25 million.

9. Marcia Cross

Marcia Cross shot to fame as the prim and proper Bree Van de Kamp, of the show ‘Desperate Housewife.’ Since 2005 she has been known for her role and has won several awards for the same. She has also started in ‘Melrose Place’ as Dr. Kimberly Shaw. She is on this top 10 highest paid TV stars list with earnings of $400,000.

10. Hugh Laurie

Hugh Laurie is famous for his portrayal of Gregory House. The English actor is also a voice artist, comedian, writer, musician, recording artist, and director. He has won accolade and awards for his portrayal of the cynic and narcissist Dr. House. He has also acted in several movies along with the Stuart Little series. He lands on the top ten list with an approximate earning of almost $400,000.

This is the top 10 highest paid TV stars for the year 2010. We will have to wait and see how the new year pans out and what changes occur to this list!