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British "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell - Source: Reuters -
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Simon Cowell, the acerbic
American
Idol judge, creator of America's Got Talent and record
producer, is the top earning man on prime-time US television with
an estimated haul of $US75 million ($NZ100 million), Forbes.com
says.
Cowell, 50, beat out
The
Apprentice show host Donald Trump ($US50 million) and American
Idol presenter Ryan Seacrest ($US38 million), based on estimated
pre-tax earnings from June 1, 2008 to June 1, 2009.
Most of the top earners have several entertainment related
ventures, Forbes said. Cowell has his own record label which has
signed singers including Leona Lewis and Susan Boyle, in addition
to his duties as a judge on American Idol - the most watched TV
show in the United States for seven years.
Apart from The Apprentice, Trump lends his name to products ranging
from neckties to vodka and reaps fees from speeches and
books.
Seacrest, 34, has a Los Angeles morning radio show, is a celebrity
TV host and developed the TV reality show Keeping Up With the
Kardashians, as well as hosting American Idol.
Rounding up the top five were
Two and a Half Men
star Charlie Sheen ($US21 million) and The Office actor Steve
Carell ($US20 million).
The remainder of the Top 10 is;
6. Howie Mandel ($US15 million)
7. Kiefer Sutherland ($US13 million)
8. Jeff Foxworthy ($US11 million)
9. Hugh Laurie ($US10 million)
10. David Caruso ($US9 million)
