'Big Bang' cast top list of TVs highest-earning actors 2016

Forbes has just published the latest who’s-who list of TV’s highest-paid actors of 2016 and perhaps unsurprisingly, the uber-popular 'The Big Bang Theory’s' Jim Parsons - Sheldon in the hit series -tops the charts of the richest TV stars in the world with earnings of a whopping $25.5m for the second year running.

Following close on his tail are Big Bang co-stars including Johnny Galecki, number 2 on the rich-list, earning $24m in 2016, Simon Helberg, earning $22.5m and Kunal Nayyar in fourth place with $22m. The international acclaim of the Lorre Spelling series and its massive cult following is behind the staggering rise to riches of its cast in the last two years.

'Big bang theory' cast

The Rise and Fall of TV’s Richest Actors

With four major cast-members of Big Bang dominating the top spots as the highest-earning TV actors in the world, it’s not until we get to #5 that another hugely popular series gets a mention. 'NCIS' actor Mark Harmon made $20m in the last year due to the show being the most-viewed after the Super Bowl and – it goes without saying, 'The Big Bang Theory'.

A new entrant to the Forbe’s list of highest paid TV actors in the world is former 'X-Files' star, David Duchovny, achieving 13th place in the list with earnings of $10m. Among the TV actors on last year’s list but not re-appearing in 2016 were Jon Cryer, Ashton Kutcher, Simon Baker and [Patrick Dempsey](Patrick Dempsey) who all lost their places doe to their shows either being cancelled or their characters killed-off.

Mark Harmon at 'NCIS'

What about the Gender Gap on the Forbes Richest TV Actors List

The actresses featured on the top-earning lists earned a combined $208.5m during the study’s period of between June 2015 and June 2016, compared with a total of $225m from the men. Many believe this indicates that the gender gap in earnings still persists although it is perhaps less pronounced than in the movie industry where contracts are negotiated individually rather than applied to all cast members.

The TV actress taking the top slot as the highest paid in 2016 is Colombian-born Sofia Vergara who portrays Gloria Delgado-Pritchett in the hit series 'Modern Family'. Earning a massive $43m in the year to June 2016, Vergara takes the overall number one position as the highest-earning TV actor in the world. Surprisingly, Vergara’s income is boosted considerably by endorsements and licensing deals and with successful product-lines in her portfolio, it’s less to do with acting and more to do with the lucrative spin-offs of TV success.

Sofia Vergara as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett at 'Modern family'

What TV Shows Come out Top in the Forbes Richest List

Apart from the obvious domination of The 'Big Bang Theory', actors from other shows also featured in the list. Among them was 'NCIS’ Michael Weatherly earning $10m, Kevin Spacey of 'House of Cards' earning $10.5m and Modern Family’s Eric Stonestreet with earnings of $11m for the year to June 2016.

Despite a small imbalance between the women and men of the TV World, it’s fairly plain to see what is currently working and what isn’t on our TV screens. The list also illustrates the significant wealth TV actors can attract through lucrative licensing deals and promotion that allows them to earn significantly more than through their acting work alone.