In the world of television, there’s a coveted club that very few actors can claim membership to — the million-dollar-per-episode club.
These are the elite few who’ve managed to command jaw-dropping paychecks for their small screen appearances. Here’s a list of those exceptional TV stars.
Charlie Sheen – “Two and a Half Men”
Charlie Sheen, once the highest-paid actor on television, was pulling in a staggering $1.8 million per episode for the hit sitcom “Two and a Half Men”.
Despite his public fall from grace, Sheen’s paycheck at the height of his tenure remains a benchmark in television salary history.
Jennifer Aniston & Reese Witherspoon – “The Morning Show”
Apple’s foray into original programming kicked off with “The Morning Show”, featuring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon.
The actresses’ paychecks for the series reportedly exceeded $1 million per episode, reflecting their star power and the streaming giant’s commitment to securing top-tier talent.
The Cast of “The Big Bang Theory”
“The Big Bang Theory” was a ratings juggernaut for CBS, and by the final season, its core cast members – Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Kunal Nayyar, and Simon Helberg – were all earning about $1 million per episode.
The astronomical salaries matched the show’s astronomical success.
The Main Cast of “Friends”
In the final two seasons of “Friends”, each of the six main cast members – Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer – were making $1 million per episode. Their collective bargaining power helped set new salary standards in the sitcom world.
Extra reading: 20 Years Later, Friends Cast Still Making Millions Off The Show
Jerry Seinfeld – “Seinfeld”
As the star and co-creator of “Seinfeld”, Jerry Seinfeld was reported to have made approximately $1 million per episode in the final season. His significant stake in the show’s success, including profits from syndication, means Seinfeld continues to profit from the sitcom’s enduring popularity.
Check out: Jerry Seinfeld Said ‘No Thanks’ to $110 Million to Keep ‘Seinfeld’ Alive
Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt – “Mad About You”
“Mad About You” stars Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt were both reported to have made $1 million per episode in the final season. This made Hunt one of the highest-paid actresses on television at the time.
Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant – “The Undoing”
Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant pulled in about $1 million per episode for the HBO miniseries “The Undoing”. The high-profile pairing and the show’s critical success underscored the increasing willingness of premium cable and streaming services to shell out for top acting talent.
These television stars, through a combination of talent, timing, and successful shows, managed to break into the million-dollar club, setting salary standards that continue to shape the industry.
