Live television shows are undoubtedly some of the most popular programs in the modern-day entertainment industry. These shows span a wide range of topics, some of the most popular ones being comedy, political commentary, sports, and lifestyle. The success of such shows is largely determined by the person at the helm, the TV show host. As with other sectors of the TV industry, some hosts rake in quite a fortune. Who are the highest paid TV hosts, and how much do they earn?
Typically, a talk show host carries their audience through a series of discussions and sets the theme and tone of the conversation. This makes the host an essential part of the entire talk show. So, who is the highest paid TV personality today?
The Highest Paid TV Hosts in 2021
Who is the highest paid talk show host in 2021, and how much do they earn? Here is a look at the 20 highest paid television show hosts, their annual salaries, and current net worth.
20. Craig Ferguson
| Age | Birthday | Net Worth | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 59 years (as of 2021) | May 17, 1962 | $30 million | $8.5 million |
Craig Ferguson is an American writer, director, producer, comedian, and actor. He was born in Scotland before relocating to the United States. Ferguson is best known for his role as the former host of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, a famous Emmy Award-nominated talk show that aired on CBS for 11 seasons.
Craig received an annual salary of $8.5 million while working at the CBS show.
19. James Corden
| Age | Birthday | Net Worth | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 43 years (as of 2021) | August 22, 1978 | $70 million | $9 million |
James Kimberley Corden is a British TV personality, writer, actor, and comedian renowned for his self-deprecating humour and general likeability. After gaining recognition, success, and a massive fanbase in the United Kingdom, Corden landed a role as the host of The Late Late Show with James Corden.
The show is currently in its seventh season. Corden reportedly earns about $9 million per year from the show.
18. Chelsea Handler
| Age | Birthday | Net Worth | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 46 years (as of 2021) | February 25, 1975 | $35 million | $10 million |
Chelsea is an American author, actress, comedian, and talk show host best known for her hosting role in Chelsea Lately. Besides TV hosting, Chelsea has also appeared on various Netflix television shows. In 2012, she was named as one of the 100 most influential people by Time Magazine.
The television host reportedly earns $10 million per year as salary for her role on Chelsea Lately.
17. Wendy Williams
| Age | Birthday | Net Worth | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 57 years (as of 2021) | July 18, 1964 | $40 million | $10 million |
Wendy was born in Asbury Park, New Jersey. She is a media personality, television host, and businesswoman best known for hosting the syndicated TV talk show, The Wendy Williams Show, since 2008.
Before joining television, Wendy was a popular radio DJ in New York. Her current salary is estimated to be $10 million annually.
16. Conan O’Brien
| Age | Birthday | Net Worth | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 58 years (as of 2021) | April 18, 1963 | $150 million | $12 million |
Conan Christopher O’Brien is a comedian and late-night talk show host. He is best known for his roles on The Tonight Show (2010-current) and Late Night with Conan O’Brien (1993–2009). He currently hosts the show Conan on TBS, where he reportedly earns $12 million annually in salaries.
15. Anderson Cooper
| Age | Birthday | Net Worth | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 54 years | June 3, 1967 | $50 million | $12 million |
Anderson Cooper is an American author, journalist and television show host best known for hosting CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360°. Cooper reportedly earns an annual salary of $12 million on the show.
The TV host was born into a prominent New York family. His mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, was the heiress of a wealthy man, while his father, Wyatt Emory, was a prominent writer.
14. Jimmy Kimmel
| Age | Birthday | Net Worth | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 54 years (as of 2021) | November 13, 1967 | $50 million | $15 million |
Jimmy Kimmel is famous for his hugely popular late-night comedy talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live. He has hosted the show since 2003, making it one of the longest-running late-night comedy talk shows hosted by a single person.
13. Jay Leno
| Age | Birthday | Net Worth | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 71 | April 28, 1950 | $450 Million | $15 Million |
James Douglas Muir Leno, popularly known as Jay Leno, was born in New Rochelle, New York. He is a writer, comedian, and television show host best known for hosting The Tonight Show on two separate stints (1992-2009 and 2010-2014).
12. Stephen Colbert
| Age | Birthday | Net Worth | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 57 years (as of 2021) | May 13, 1964 | $75 million | $15 million |
Stephen was born in Charleston, South Carolina and was the youngest of 11 children. He is an American author, writer, comedian, actor, and television host. He is best known for hosting the Comedy Central Show between 2005 and 2014 and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert from 2015 to date.
11. Jon Stewart
| Age | Birthday | Net Worth | <
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