TV stars now earn over $1 million per episode

Several TV stars have made headlines by earning more than $1 million per episode, reshaping the industry. In the 1990s, iconic shows like "Friends," "Sex and the City," and "Two and a Half Men" set new pay standards for actors. Sarah Jessica Parker's role in "Sex and the City" significantly increased her salary, reportedly reaching over $3 million per episode during its final seasons. The success of the show led to major movie deals for Parker as well. Other stars from the show also earned substantial pay for the sequel series, "And Just Like That..." In "The Morning Show," Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon reunited and made $2 million per episode. Apple spent $15 million per episode for the series, and it became a major hit. Witherspoon highlighted that their salaries reflected the show's profitability. Charlie Sheen earned $2 million per episode for "Two and a Half Men" but faced controversy when he clashed with the show's creator. His departure opened the door for Ashton Kutcher to join the cast. Sheen later reflected on how his actions affected the series. Ray Romano became the highest-paid actor on TV during "Everybody Loves Raymond," making $1.8 million per episode. He later took a pay cut to join "Parenthood" because of his love for the show. Kelsey Grammer also had significant earnings from "Frasier." Though he commanded $1.6 million per episode, he hoped for his show to last longer; instead, it faced cancellation in January 2025. Chris Pratt gained attention for making $1.4 million per episode for "The Terminal List," a series that quickly became popular on Prime Video. Other stars like Tim Allen of "Home Improvement" faced salary issues that contributed to their show's end. Meanwhile, Jerry Seinfeld left his hit show while still at the top, having been offered a huge sum to continue. The cast of "Friends" united to negotiate $1 million each for their last two seasons, a move that was seen as a significant shift in how actors could advocate for equal pay. Similarly, "The Big Bang Theory" cast also negotiated for hefty salaries and later took pay cuts to support their co-stars. Lastly, Jason Sudeikis received $1 million per episode for "Ted Lasso," and the show is set to continue with a fourth season, showcasing the lasting success of streaming shows.