22 TV Stars With Absurdly Large Paychecks

Earlier this week, Brad Pitt said movie stars shouldn't expect to earn more than $10 million per film role. Usually, the same goes for TV stars--unless they're judging vocal chords, wearing a judge's robe in the courtroom, or anchoring a hit show.

We've ranked TV's biggest salary earners, according to reported numbers from TV Guide, The Washington Post, and The Daily Beast.

Surprisingly, actors and actresses who command some of the biggest shows on television hold only one slot on the list. Instead, judges of all sorts--featured on both daytime and primetime reality shows--rank highest.
 
From Britney Spears to Bill O'Reilly, see who earns the most on television.

1.) Judge Judy Sheindlin: $45 million

Judge Judy's syndicated court room show not only makes her the highest-paid person on television, but also the 13th richest woman in entertainment, according to Forbes.



Getty Images2.) Simon Cowell: $40 million

Though "The X-Factor" hasn't debuted well even despite Britney Spears added to the show, Cowell is still the second-highest paid star on television.




3.) David Letterman $28 million

"The Late Show" host extended his contract on CBS two more years in April, making him the longest-serving late-night host on television. 

The Washington Post clocks him in a bit higher at $31 million.



nydailynews.com4.) Matt Lauer: $21.5 million

In response to the NBC "Today" show host's high salary, TV Guide's business editor, Stephen Battaglio told The Daily Beast Lauer keeps viewership high and advertisers paying hundreds of millions. 

“Matt is central to [Today]—if he left, ratings would plummet and NBC would lose at least $100-125 million in ad revenue," said Battaglio.


Getty Images5.) Judge Joe Brown: $20 million

Judge Joe Brown earns as much as Ripa for his syndicated court room series. The show has been on the air for more than a decade making its debut, September 1998.





Flickr/justinhoch5.) Bill O' Reilly: $20 million

"The O'Reilly Factor" host reportedly doubled his salary from last year. Earlier this year, O'Reilly signed a deal to stay on Fox News through 2016.





fanpop.com5.) Kelly Ripa: $20 million

Now the lead co-host of "Live! with Kelly and Michael," Ripa was earning $5 million more than her old co-host Regis before he left.






Getty Images6.) Mariah Carey: $18 million

With an $18 million paycheck, the singer is the highest-paid celebrity judge on television.






Courtesy of Comedy Central7.) Jon Stewart: $16 million

Stephen Colbert earns a third of what the "The Daily Show" host receives annually.

Last May, Stewart's Comedy Central show pulled in higher ratings than all of Fox News.



8.) Jay Leno: $15 million

After 20 writers and producers lost their jobs on "The Tonight Show," Leno took a 50 percent pay cut to prevent further cuts.