Sofia Vergara tops Forbes list of best paid TV actresses
Actress Sofia Vergara (2nd-R) and the cast of 'Modern Family' pose in the press room after winning Outstanding Comedy at the 2013 Emmy Awards. Photo/AFP
What you need to know:
- The world's 10 highest-paid film actresses made a combined $205 million in the 12 months from June 1, 2015 before fees and taxes, said Forbes.
- The highest-paid movie actors, led by Dwayne Johnson, made a combined $456.5 million, stoking the ongoing debate in Hollywood about the industry's gender pay gap.
Colombian-American actress Sofia Vergara topped Forbes magazine's annual list of best paid television actresses for the fifth year in a row on Wednesday, earning a whopping $43 million dollars.
The 44-year-old Modern Family actress — who made more money than any male star — was followed on the list by Kaley Cuoco, 30, who plays Penny on The Big Bang Theory and earned $24.5 million in the 12 months to June.
Forbes said while Vergara's role on the hit mockumentary helped propel her to the top of the best-paid list, endorsement and licensing deals have ensured she still commands the number one spot.
"In all, the 15 highest-paid female stars of the small screen made a combined $208.5 million between June 2015 and June 2016 — $43.5 million more than last year's combined total of $165 million," Forbes said.
Mindy Kaling, 37, of The Mindy Project climbed from eighth to third place this year, earning $15 million. She was followed by Ellen Pompeo (Grey's Anatomy) and Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order SVU) who tied for fourth place, earning $14.5 million.
Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra, who plays an FBI agent in the crime series Quantico joined the list for the first time this year, coming in eighth and earning $11 million.
Oscar-winning Jennifer Lawrence was named the world's highest-paid movie actress for the second year running in August, with estimated pre-tax earnings of $46 million.
The world's 10 highest-paid film actresses made a combined $205 million in the 12 months from June 1, 2015 before fees and taxes, said Forbes.
The highest-paid movie actors, led by Dwayne Johnson, made a combined $456.5 million, stoking the ongoing debate in Hollywood about the industry's gender pay gap.
The list of the world's highest-paid TV actors will be published next week, Forbes said.
Rounding out the top 10 list for best paid TV actresses are:
6: Kerry Washington Sh ($13.5 million)
7: Stana Katic ($12 million)
8: Priyanka Chopra ($11 million)
9: Julianna Margulies ($10.5)
10: Julie Bowen ($10 million)
