Highest Paid Celebrities for 2012

Millions of followers, endorsements here and there, tv and big screen appearances, first class service treatment, upfront checks, fat checks, double patty checks, pile of checks, checks and checks--- are just among the perks of being a celebrity. While some might just not find their luck in this type of industry, others are raking millions of dollars to add up in their bank accounts. See who made it on the top list of Forbes’ highest paid celebrities from May 2011-May 2012.

1. Oprah Winfrey – Even if her longest running talk show The Oprah Winfrey Show has wrapped up after 25 years, Oprah still hold the top spot for the highest paid celebrities four years in a row. Forbes estimated her earnings would sum up to $165 million. This all thanks to her O magazine, spin-off shows like The Dr. Oz Show, Dr. Phil and Rachael Ray and not to mention a radio deal with Sirius. She’s still struggling though to put up good ratings and bring in money on her network – OWN. 

2. Michael Bay --- Just behind by $5 million from the top 1 spot, this Transformers director made it to the list with an earnings of $160 million. The bulk of his money came from his widely watched 3-D movie Transformers: Dark of the Moon which garnered a total of $1.1 billion globally. Bay also holds the title this year as the top-earning director. He gets royalties as well from Transformers toys and a Transformers ride at Universal Studios in Hollywood. 

3. Steven Spielberg --- Known for his award-winning and hit movies, this movie genius raked in $130 million for this year putting him on the 3rd spot. His money came from recent tv invasion of Dreamworks , which he co-founded, that brought in four new shows. Movies that he directed last Christmas also add up to his earnings. 

4. Jerry Bruckheimer ---- Mr. Blockbuster Film and TV producer Bruckheimer joined our list with $115 million. Big chunk of his money came from his Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides which is one of the highest grossing films for 2011 with $1 billion global tickets sale. 

5. Dr. Dre --- Yes, you read it right. Dr. Dre this time surprised everyone by making it to the top list. If you think the songs he produced made him go this far, you’re dead wrong. His whooping $110 million comes from his lines of headphones Beats by Dr. Dre which he co-founded. Handset maker HTC paid $300 million for a 51% stake. 

Others who made it on the top 10 list are Director/Producer/Writer/Actor Tyler Perry with $105 million; America’s Got Talent juror Howard Stern with $95 million; famous fictional writer James Patterson with $94 million; film producer/screenwriter/director and entrepreneur George Lucas with $90 million; British Music Producer and TV personality Simon Cowell with $90 and conservative host and entrepreneur Glenn Beck with $80 million.


Image Credit: IMDB, Forbes
News Source: Forbes