Jim Parsons and Sofia Vergara Top Forbes’ List of Highest-Paid TV Stars

By
Nikoleta P
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Sofia Vergara. Photo by Owen Kolasinski/BFA/REX/Shutterstock (9448708nm)

Jim Parsons and Sofia Vergara came at the top of Forbes’ list of highest-paid TV stars for a couple of years in a row, and 2018 is no exception. The comedy stars have effortlessly beaten the competition thanks to their respective roles in The Big Bang Theory and Modern Family.

Parsons topped the list of the highest-paid TV actors for the fourth time in a row with $26.5 million in the bank, thanks to the role of quirky physicist Sheldon Cooper. He wasn’t the only The Big Bang Theory actor who earned an impressive sum of money thanks to this hit sitcom. His co-stars Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg, and Kunal Nayyar were right behind him.

When it comes to actresses, Sofia Vergara took the crown for the seventh year in a row – and her victory is even more impressive than Parsons. In an era when experts are constantly discussing the gender pay gap in Hollywood, Modern Family star scored a big win for women everywhere. She pocketed $42.5 million last year alone, earning more than every guy on TV! Kaley Cuoco came in second and was closely followed by Grey’s Anatomy actress Ellen Pompeo.

Highest-paid TV Actors

  1. Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory) – $26.5 million
  2. Johnny Galecki (The Big Bang Theory) – $25 million
  3. Simon Helberg (The Big Bang Theory) – $23.5 million
  4. Kunal Nayyar (The Big Bang Theory) – $23.5 million
  5. Mark Harmon (NCIS) – $19 million
  6. Ed O’Neill (Modern Family) – $14 million
  7. Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family) – $13.5 million
  8. Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family) – $13 million
  9. Ty Burrell (Modern Family) – $12 million
  10. Andrew Lincoln (The Walking Dead) – $11 million

Highest-paid TV Actresses

  1. Sofia Vergara (Modern Family) – $42.5 million
  2. Kaley Cuoco (The Big Bang Theory) – $24.5 million
  3. Ellen Pompeo (Grey’s Anatomy) – $23.5 million
  4. Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: SVU) – $13 million
  5. Julie Bowen (Modern Family) – $12.5 million
  6. Mayim Bialik (The Big Bang Theory) – $12 million
  7. Melissa Rauch (The Big Bang Theory) – $12 million
  8. Kerry Washington (Scandal) – $11 million
  9. Claire Danes (Homeland) – $9 million
  10. Pauley Perrette (NCIS) – $8.5 million