Every year Forbes releases its list of highest paid comedians. A list that sometimes makes us scratch our head when we realize that at least 2 ventriloquists seem to always sneak on it (we’re looking at you Jeff Dunham and Terry Fator). Every year the list seems to fluctuate between some obvious names depending on who launched a large tour, someone having a breakout year, and someone who might be the next big thing. There were a few different factors at play this year that spiked the earnings and overall earnings per each comedian. Particularly of note, many names on this list inked very lucrative comedy special deals with streaming giant Netflix, skyrocketing their earning potential and sending them on the road to develop the act so they could tape such specials.
Here’s the list. Remember, this list is calculated by taking into consideration the comedians’s stand-up and touring. No TV or movie deals
#10. Sebastian Maniscalo: $15.0 Million
This is Maniscalco’s debut on this list, earning an impressive $15 over the last 12 months. He did so by slaying audiences across the nation with a very intense tour schedule that included headlining this year’s installment of the Oddball festival.
Last year’s ranking: n/a
#9. Jeff Dunham: $15.0 Million
With no big special deal to speak of, Dunham made his money almost completely on the road, clocking in many weekends at some of the largest venues across the nation. Dunham has consistently been on this list since we started paying attention to it. Reaching the highest parts of said list in years past.
Last year’s ranking: #5 ($13.5M)
#8. Terry Fator: $18.5 Million
As with years past, Fator has conistently made this list, mostly attributed to the America’s Got Talent winner’s very large, longterm residency in Las Vegas. He earned in the area as he has in year’s past, but was pushed down the list this year due mainly to those above him earning far more than the average year would imply. You can thank Netflix for inflating these numbers a bit.
Last year’s ranking: #3 ($21M)
#7. Jim Gaffigan: $30.5 Million
Gaffigan is a hit on the road, there’s no doubt about it. The last 12 months were pretty all over the place for him, but his popularity is as big as ever, and his high payday Netflix deal is said to account for over 1/3 of his earning income this year.
Last year’s ranking: #7 ($12M)
#6. Kevin Hart: $32.5 Million
He’s one of the few comedians who did not ink a deal with Netflix and still managed to earn a staggering $32M dollars this year. It’s not hard to see why as Hart has sold out stadiums for the last few years, turning them into specials that legit hit movie theaters in what seems like a yearly basis.
Last year’s ranking: #1 ($87.5M)
#5. Amy Schumer: $37.5 Million
Schumer comes in at the closest to the same spot as she did last year, in fact, one spot lower. But, that shouldn’t bother her much as she pulled in $20M more in revenue this year. Schumer toured aggressively this past year and again, that Netflix deal didn’t hurt.
Last year’s ranking #4 ($17M)
4. Dave Chappelle: $47.0 Million
It’s safe to say, Dave Chappelle’s comeback is complete. Not only has he toured the nation, but for a couple consecutive years now, he’s managed to stay near the top of this list. This year he did it with touring, and not one, but two specials on Netflix.
Last year’s ranking: #6 ($13M)
#3. Louis C.K.: $52.0 Million
After a year off it, Louis C.K. returns to this list. After spending some time working on projects like Horace and Pete, Louis C.K. spent the last year touring extensively to work on his (you guessed it) new Netflix special, 2017. Which he was paid for handsomely.
Last year’s ranking: n/a
#2. Chris Rock: $57.0 Million
Again, another big time comedian that makes it back onto the list after a few years off. These last 12 months Chris Rock dove headfirst back into the road game with his Total Blackout Tour, the first in nine years for Rock. Another small tour with Adam Sandler, and a $40M Netflix deal for two new stand-up specials and you have yourselves the #2 spot on this list.
Last year’s ranking: n/a
#1. Jerry Seinfeld: $69.0 Million
After dipping to #2 last year, Jerry Seinfeld is back atop this list where he’s held the top many times. That is due to an extended monthly residency at the Beacon Theatre in New York that was bolstered by a lucrative Neflix deal worth two stand-up specials and the catalog of Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee.
Last year’s ranking: #2 ($43.5M)
