The Top-Earning Comedians

by Maireid Sullivan | July 18, 2009 at 10:30 pm

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Top earners between June 2008 and June 2009:
At #3, Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham earned an estimated $30 million.
"The one thing I'm proud of most is that my show has no social redeeming value whatsoever," jokes Dunham. "I'm not here to teach anybody anything. You come and leave your brain at the door." And that's just what today's audience is after.

By Lacey Rose,
July, 2009

The economy is ailing and the public is glum, but stand-up acts like Dane Cook, Russell Peters and Larry the Cable Guy are still laughing all the way to the bank.

Comedy's 10 top earners--a list that also includes George Lopez, Jeff Foxworthy, Howie Mandel and Terry Fator--collectively raked in $256 million between June 2008 and June 2009. While each of them have been padding their wallets with stand-up earnings, they're also finding ways to cash in on merchandise, DVDs, television and Hollywood flicks.

1) Jerry Seinfeld
Estimated Earnings*: $85 million

2) Chris Rock
Estimated Earnings*: $42 million

3) Jeff Dunham
Estimated Earnings*: $30 million

4) Dane Cook, (tie)
Estimated Earnings*: $20 million

4) George Lopez, (tie)
Estimated Earnings*: $20 million

6) Howie Mandel
Estimated Earnings*: $15 million

7) Larry the Cable Guy
Estimated Earnings*: $13 million

8) Jeff Foxworthy
Estimated Earnings*: $11 million

9) Terry Fator, (tie)
Estimated Earnings*: $10 million

9) Russell Peters, (tie)
Estimated Earnings*: $10 million

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