Jim Parsons is world’s highest-paid TV actor in 2017, according to Forbes.
The stars of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ made the list’s top five but Parsons nabbed the top spot with an earning of $27.5 million in the year to June 1.
Parsons, who makes $1 million per episode, said: “When I read Big Bang it was definitely special to me. I would definitely not presume to say I thought it was going to be a hit show or be picked up, but I know that I was being presented with a character that was, in its own weird way, a really good fit, that I thought I could do.”
C0-stars of the show, who also earn $1million per episode, made the top five with Johnny Galecki in number two spot for his $26.5 million earnings, Simon Helberg at number three with $26 million while Kunal Nayyar is number four with $25 million.
Although each of them earn $24 million per season from the show, Parsons overtakes in total earnings thanks to a seven-figure endorsement deal with Intel, a role in Oscar-nominated ‘Hidden Figures’ and a short stint on Sirius radio.
Their salaries, however, will decrease next year as they (along with castmate Kaley Cuoco) each took a $100,000-per-episode pay cut for the upcoming season to give co-stars Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch higher salaries.
This decrease won’t affect Parsons whose earnings is set to increase next year thanks to new CBS project, ‘Young Sheldon’, a comedy show which he narrates and produces.
Rounding out the list is ‘NCIS’s Mark Harmon at number five with $19 million.
Earnings estimates are based on data from Nielsen, Box Office Mojo and IMDB, as well as interviews with industry insiders. All figures are pretax; fees for agents, managers and lawyers are not deducted.