Television Star Salaries

Television Star Salaries

American Idol is one of the hottest shows on TV. The new "American Idol" judges are a hit with the fans and they're making big bucks, too. Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler join longtime host Randy Jackson, who secured his spot on the panel for another year.

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Television Star Salaries

Television Star Salaries

"American Idol" is one of the hottest shows on TV. The new "American Idol" judges are a hit with the fans and they're making big bucks, too. Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler join longtime host Randy Jackson, who secured his spot on the panel for another year.

Dr. Phil

Viewers: 7 million

A longtime favorite of this Queen of Daytime TV got his own show and his own big-time salary.

Desperate Housewives

Viewers: 13.1 million

Marcia Cross, Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman and Eva Longoria each make a bundle per episode.

Bethenny Ever After

*Though she only makes this much per episode of her reality show, she makes a tidy sum each year as a chef, author and guest celebrity.

Keeping up with the Kardashians

Part of the Kardashian reality TV juggernaut, Kim makes this much per episode, including the latest show in the series.

With her perfume line, endorsements and staggering appearance fee, she rakes in a big yearly salary.

House M.D.

Viewers: 19.4 million

As Dr. Gregory House, the lovable yet curmudgeonly star of "House M.D.," Brit Hugh Laurie takes home a bundle.

The Oprah Winfrey Show

Viewers: 14 million

The talk show queen's yearly paycheck is one of the largest.

Even though this will be her show's last year (how long has it been on?), she has already launched her new network.

Judge Judy

Viewers: 14 million

As well as bringing home the bacon (how much does she earn?), the syndicated cynical TV judge has even surpassed the media queen in ratings.

Late Show With David Letterman

Viewers: 3.7 million (nightly)

Even though this nightly news program beat both Letterman and Leno, Letterman is still one of the kings of late night, and his paycheck is proof.

Dancing With the Stars

Viewers: 24.1 million

Celebrity contestants earn about $200,000 per season; the winner gets a bonus.

Undercover Boss

Viewers: 16.7 million

Among the financial benefits of reality TV is no expensive actors.

60 Minutes

Viewers: 14.5 million

Lesley Stahl reportedly earns low seven figures annually.

For "60 Minutes" and her regular gig, Katie Couric's yearly grand total ...

NCIS

Viewers: 13 million

If rumors are correct, Mark Harmon's episodic salary is less than half Sheen's fee.

Castle

Viewers: 12.2 million

See the "TV Guide" salary survey for an idea of what star Nathan Fillion earns.

Grey's Anatomy

Viewers: 11.6 million

Patrick Dempsey and Ellen Pompeo pull in around $250,000 per episode.

Upset with her initial salary, Katherine Heigl renegotiated, then left.

Source: Specials

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Celebrities Who Were Homeless

Rags to Riches

Actress Candace Cameron Bure and other celebs have admitted their struggles.
Ted Williams

The Internet has been buzzing about Ted Williams, the Midwestern panhandler with the “golden voice”. As this overnight sensation is poised to receive a second chance in life, we take a look at some big names who rose from rags to riches.

Tyler Perry

The actor/playwright/director responsible for triggering both chuckles and sobs had a turbulent past before gaining the spotlight.

Halle Berry

When she left the nest to pursue acting, Berry found that she had no safety net. She learned self-sufficiency during this turning point in her life.

Drew Carey

The actor-turned-game show host left his hometown for L.A. seeking fame and says he spent a while sleeping in tight quarters.

Patti Smith

With a career that dates to the 1960s, singer-songwriter Smith has become a punk icon. But before the fame, there were hard times.

Jim Carrey

This goofy screen star reportedly led a hardscrabble teenage life in his native land, where his family was forced to rough it.

Hilary Swank

There’s authenticity in the tough-girl roles Swank has portrayed; her adolescence was a rocky one.

William Shatner

Shatner was hit by the one-two punch of a costly divorce and his seminal series getting canceled. As a result, he tells of a fall from grace.

Kelly Clarkson

Shortly after moving out on her own, then-unknown Clarkson suffered this setback and toughed it out for a short while.

KRS-One

As a teen, the rap veteran lived a real hard-knock life. But he made an alliance at the bottom that would help him rise to the top

Jewel

The yodeling pop singer was raised in chilly climes, but by the early 1990s, she ended up bumming it in a balmier area.

Suze Orman

After college, the award-winning financial advisor led a vagabond lifestyle that seemed anything but penny-wise.

Sylvester Stallone

While trying to make a name for himself in the early 1970s, the future action star said he would rest in a New York spot that’s far from cozy.

Dr. Phil

As a pre-teen, the self-help guru faced lean times with his father.

Joan Rivers

Rivers’ early survival methods may have helped her develop the thick skin that eventually made her famous.

John Woo

As a child growing up overseas, future action film director Woo and his family survived tragedy.

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