The Big Bang Theory
Actor Jim Parsons (crouching) poses with co-stars from the television series "The Big Bang Theory" (from L-R) Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik, Melissa Rauch, Simon Helberg, Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting, on his star after it was unveiled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California March 11, 2015. Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

The men of “The Big Bang Theory” have the highest payday on television. Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar top the Forbes’ 2016 list of highest paid TV actors, beating “Modern Family” and “NCIS” stars.

For the second time in a row, Parsons is the highest paid television actor with a US$25.5 million (AU$33.5 million) earnings between June 1, 2015, and June 1, 2016, according to the list compiled by Forbes. He is over a million dollar richer than co-star Galecki, who places second in the list with US$24 million (AU$31.5 million). Their lucrative “TBBT” contracts are mostly responsible for their humungous salaries.

Co-stars Helberg and Nayyar are third and fourth respectively with US$22.5 million (AU$29.55 million) and US$22 million (AU$28.9 million). Although they don’t command US$1 million (AU$1.31 million) per episode from the show, their side projects helped propel their earnings to the top.

The fifth spot goes to “NCIS” star Mark Harmon,” the show’s lead and executive producer. Harmon made US$20 million (AU$26.3 million) during the same year period. His co-star, Michael Weatherly, is at the low end of the list, tied at 13th with returning “The X-Files” star David Duchovny, both with US$10 million (AU$13.1 million).

The “Modern Family” stars also made it big. Ty Burrell (6th place, US$12.5 million), Jesse Tyler Ferguson (tied at 7th, US$12 million), Ed O’Neill (10th, US$11.5 million) and Eric Stonestreet (11th, US$11 million) all made it to the list.

“Castle” star Nathan Fillion may have lost his show after it was cancelled earlier this year, but it still helped him land 7th place (tied with Ferguson and former “Everybody Loves Raymond” star Ray Romano) with US$12 million (AU$15.8 million).

Forbes said it compiled the list based on data from Nielsen, Box Office Mojo and IMDB, including interviews with agents, managers, lawyers and industry insiders.

Forbes’ list of highest paid TV actors 2016:

1. Jim Parsons, “The Big Bang Theory” (US$25.5 million)
2. Johnny Galecki, “The Big Bang Theory (US$24 million)
3. Simon Helberg, “The Big Band Theory” (US$22.5 million)
4. Kunal Nayyar, “The Big Bang Theory” (US$22 million)
5. Mark Harmon, “NCIS” (US$20 million)
6. Ty Burrell, “Modern Family” (US$12.5 million)
7. Nathan Fillion, “Castle” (US$12 million)
7. Jesse Tyler Ferguson, “Modern Family” (US$12 million)
7. Ray Romano, various (US$12 million)
10. Ed O’Neill, “Modern Family” (US$11.5 million)
11. Eric Stonesteet, “Modern Family” (US$11 million)
12. Kevin Spacey, “House of Cards” (US$10.5 million)
13. Michael Weatherly, “NCIS” (US$10 million)
13. David Duchovny, “The X-Files” (US$10 million)
15. Justin Chambers, “Grey’s Anatomy” (US$9.5 million)

Highest paid TV actresses 2016

Last week, Forbes has released the female counterpart of the list, with “Modern Family” Sofia Vergara topping the list. Her role as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett in the show helped her achieve her superstar status on the small screen; 66 percent of her US$43 million (AU$56.43 million) earnings came from the ABC show from June 1, 2015, to June 1, 2016.

“The Big Bang Theory” main female star, Kaley Cuoco, is at second place with US$24.5 million (AU$32.14 million). Like her co-stars Parsons and Galecki, she also commands US$1 million per episode for her role as Penny in the show.

Rounding up the top 5 are Mindy Kaling (“The Mindy Project,” US$15 million) and Mariska Hargitay (“Law and Order SVU, US$14.5 million) and Ellen Pompeo (“Grey’s Anatomy,” US$14.5 million), who are tied at 4th place.

Sisters Emily Deschanel and Zooey Deschanel, who are the titular stars of their respective shows “Bones” and “New Girl,” are at 13th and 15th places respectively.

Here are Forbes’ highest paid TV actresses 2016 list:

1. Sofia Vergara, “Modern Family” (US$43 million)
2. Kaley Cuoco, “The Big Bang Theory” (US$24.5 million)
3. Mindy Kaling, “The Mindy Project” (US$15 million)
4. Ellen Pompeo, “Grey’s Anatomy” (US$14.5 million)
4. Mariska Hargitay, “Law and Order SVU” (US$14.5 million)
6. Kerry Washington, “Scandal” (US$13.5 million)
7. Stana Katic, “Castle” (US$12 million)
8. Priyanka Chopra, “Quantico” (US$11 million)
9. Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife” (US$10.5 million)
10. Julie Bowen, “Modern Family” (US$10 million)
11. Pauley Perrette, “NCIS” (US$9.5 million)
12. Patricia Heaton, “The Middle” (US$8.5 million)
13. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “VEEP” (US$7.5 million
13. Emily Deschanel, “Bones” (US$7.5 million)
15. Zooey Deschanel, “New Girl” (US$7 million)

US$1 = AU$1.31 as of the time of writing

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