Simon Cowell king of US TV earnings poll
The UK king of talent show judges, Simon Cowell, is the top-earning man on US television, according to a Forbes ranking.
Cowell of Britain’s The X Factor and creator of America’s Got Talent, took home an astonishing estimated $75million, Forbes reported.
He skittled out The Apprentice’s Donald Trump, a New York City business magnate who earned $50million and Ryan Seacrest, host of American Idol, who pulled in a cool $38million.
Cowell, like most of the top-earners, has his own sideline ventures that include a record label that has signed overnight singing sensation Susan Boyle and X Factor celeb Leona Lewis.
The figures were based on pre-tax earnings in the period from June 1, 2008 to June 1, 2009.
Two And A Half Men star Charlie Sheen came next at $21million, while Steve Carell of The Office raked in $20million.
The Top 10 continued: 6. Howie Mandel ($15million); 7. Kiefer Sutherland ($13million); 8. Jeff Foxworthy ($11million); 9. Hugh Laurie ($10million); 10. David Caruso ($9million).