13 August,2010 09:54 AM IST | | Agencies
Troubled actor Charlie Sheen and talk show queen Oprah Winfrey have topped the list of the highest paid stars of the small screen.
Sheen, who has been sentenced to 30 days in rehab after a domestic violence episode, nets a whopping USD 1.25 million per episode for hit comedy Two And A Half Men, reported New York Daily News online.
The figures, obtained by TV Guide magazine, show that Oprah Winfrey is still the Queen of the small screen. She pulls in a massive USD 315 million per year for her talk show, while Judge Judy Sheindlin and David Letterman are paid USD 45 million and USD 28 million respectively.
Sheen's co-star Jon Cryer had the second highest salary for a comedy star on US TV, USD 550,00 per show. The Simpsons voiceovers Dan Castellaneta and Julie Kavner are paid USD 400,000 for each installment of the animated series.
In the drama shows category, Hugh Laurie takes the top spot with earnings of more than USD 400,000 per episode of House. Law & Order stars Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay both take home USD 395,000.
American Idol host Ryan Seacrest topped the reality TV stars rundown, with an annual salary of USD 15 million for fronting the singing show.
