It Pays To Be A Funny Nerd in Hollywood

Forbes have confirmed it: being funny and a nerd can equal great riches…and a little acting talent goes a long way too.

Forbes has released this years list of the highest-paid actors in TV with four (yes, FOUR!) of the top six slots going to the cast of The Big Bang Theory.

Unsurprisingly Jim Parsons - who plays the part of everyone’s favourite annoying housemate, Sheldon Cooper - came out on top, earning an unbelievable $29million this year, putting our paycheck to shame. Can we all just take a moment to imagine the fantasy-shopping spree we’d all go on if we had Jim Parson’s payday…

Jim – who has won four Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for his part in the show - has taken over from last year’s crowned king, Ashton Kutcher who made a palatable $26million in 2014 in comparison for his part in the hit show, Two and a Half Men. Ashton – who has now fallen to a joint third place on the list - has promised to avenge Parsons…not really, but we like to think Ashton is shaking his fist.

A forlorn Ashton post-fist shake

Other members of The Big Bang Theory cast who made it into the top six were Johnny Galecki in 2nd with a cool $27million and Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar who both tied with Ashton. Another show which dominated in the male stakes this year is The Modern Family whose four main men all made the cut with their inflated salaries, while Kevin Spacey from House of Cards took up the rear with a measly $9.5million. While these figures are calculated without cutting out management fees and taxes, it also includes endorsement deals and side gigs.

With the Hollywood pay gap still a very real reality, we’ll be keeping these numbers in mind for when the TV actresses list is released.