Ray Romano holds the distinction of being the highest-paid TV actor per episode, earning an astounding $1.725 million for his role in the popular sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. His earnings represent one of the peak salaries achieved by actors in television history.
Top Earners in Television History
The salaries commanded by leading television stars can reach remarkable figures, reflecting their star power and the commercial success of their shows. These per-episode earnings highlight a unique era in television production where actors' compensation soared to unprecedented levels.
Below is a snapshot of some of the highest reported per-episode salaries for television actors:
| Name | Program | Salary (Per Episode) |
|---|---|---|
| Ray Romano | Everybody Loves Raymond | $1.725 million |
| Kelsey Grammer | Frasier | $1.6 million |
| Chris Pratt | The Terminal List | $1.4 million |
| Tim Allen | Home Improvement | $1.25 million |
These figures often include not just base salary but also profit participation, backend deals, and residuals, making the overall compensation significantly higher than standard episodic rates. The unprecedented success, enduring popularity, and syndication value of shows like Everybody Loves Raymond allowed for such lucrative agreements for their lead stars, setting benchmarks for actor compensation in the industry.
