10 Highest Paid Women In Prime Time
Forbes have release their prime time top earning women list from June 1, 2008 to June 1, 2009. When coming up with the list they take into account earnings from television work, producing, movie work and any endorsements.
10. Ellen Pompeo (tie) – $6 million
Now in its sixth season, viewers still tune in to see the latest as Pompeo’s Meredith Grey simultaneously pushes away and pines after her husband, Dr. Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd, on ABC’s medical hit. Off camera, the Massachusetts native gave birth to her first child with her producer husband Chris Ivery.
10. Jennifer Love Hewitt – $6 million
Hewitt’s CBS star vehicle rolled out its fifth season last month. As she’s done in seasons past, she serves as a producer and lead actor on the female-friendly series. The former Party of Five star also shills pimple cream and other products for skincare company Proactiv.
9. Marcia Cross – $6.2 million
Cross’ comedic turn as the all-too-perfect Bree Van De Kamp on ABC’s hit series has earned her critical accolades, countless fans and a $225,000 per episode paycheck. Off set, she took on a role as a Motts spokeswoman.
8. Tina Fey – $7 million
Despite just 7 million weekly viewers–up 10% from last season–Fey’s comedy consistently garners critical and award-show praise. Still more impressive, she serves as creator, writer and star. She grabbed gobs of attention last fall for her impersonations of vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live. In addition to striking a lucrative book deal during the 12-month period, she also filmed Date Night, a romantic comedy opposite fellow NBC star Steve Carell.
6. Maura Tierney – $8 million (tie)
As nurse turned doctor Abby Lockhart, Tierney spent a decade stitching up bodies at County General Hospital on NBC’s long-running medical drama ER. After a lengthy and lucrative run, the series and its fictional hospital finally closed its doors this past spring. The Emmy-nominated actress had grand plans to take on a new NBC drama, the upcoming Parenthood, before bowing out for health reasons.
6. Julia Louis-Dreyfus – $8 million (tie)
While its hardly Seinfeld money, Dreyfus makes a more than a healthy living as the star of CBS’ Wednesday night comedy. She’s also seen money from Seinfeld residuals and a Seinfeld-themed guest arc on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm. Lest it stop there, the famously goofy star also serves as spokeswoman for Conagra’s Healthy Choice.
5. Mariska Hargitay – $8.5 million
After 10 seasons on the NBC program, the Emmy-winning actress and co-star Chris Meloni found themselves in the middle of a protracted contract dispute this past spring. Off-camera, Hargitay also struggled with a collapsed lung.
4. Eva Longoria Parker – $9 million
The Desperate Housewives vixen may have shed her model body and sexpot image in the show’s leap forward, but she still commands a pretty paycheck. In addition to her $225,000 per episode payday last season, she rakes in additional dough with endorsements like L’Oreal Paris.
3. Marg Helgenberger – $9.5 million
The Emmy-winning actress recently launched her 10th season as showgirl turned blood-spatter analyst Catherine Willows on the lucrative CBS procedural. In an era where few shows deliver massive ratings much less massive profit, her series stands out.
Kathernie Heigl – $18 million
As cancer patient Izzie Stevens on the ABC drama Grey’s Anatomy, Heigl garnered tears and fans alike last season. Whether her character will ultimately survive the illness–and thus remain on the show–remains one of prime-time’s biggest guessing games. Over on the big-screen, the 30-year-old star appeared opposite Gerard Butler in another romantic comedy, The Ugly Truth. Proving her range, she’ll follow that with a starring role opposite Ashton Kutcher in the Lionsgate action comedy Five Killers.
Tyra Banks – $30 million
When it comes to supermodels turned super-personalities, Banks has her competition beat. Among the former cat-walker’s projects: her own production company, along with a slew of TV shows, including model competition series America’s Next Top Model, beauty competition show True Beauty and daytime chat-fest The Tyra Banks Show.
source: Prime-Time’s Top-Earning Women [Forbes]
Popularity: unranked [?]
