It may seem like the big bucks come from starring in blockbuster films, but there’s a special place for standout roles in primetime television and the list of highest-paid TV actresses and actors for 2018 which was compiled by Forbes definitely tells that story.
The top earner in 2018 has been Modern Family star Sofia Vergara, who earned a whopping $42.5 million for her role on the show. To put that into perspective, Vergara netted $16 million more than the next person on the list.
Second-place honors went to Big Bang Theory star Jim Parsons at $26.5 million, and he began a trend. The next two television stars on the list also came from Big Bang Theory with Johnny Galecki raking in a cool $25 million and Kaley Cuoco earning $24.5.
Rounding out the top five were the only other actors or actresses to earn more than $20 million in the year with — you guessed it — two Big Bang Theory stars Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar, and Grey’s Anatomy standout Ellen Pompeo earning $23.5 million.
Did your favorite actress or actor earn a spot on the highest-paid list in 2018?
A complete list can be seen below, via Forbes.com.
Highest Paid TV Actresses & Actors in 2018
1. Sofia Vergara
https://www.instagram.com/p/BoPkJoDAFHy/?hl=en&taken-by=sofiavergara
Earnings
$42.5 million
Television Show
Modern Family
2. Jim Parsons
https://www.instagram.com/p/BbAmFo_H4r_/?hl=en&taken-by=therealjimparsons
Earnings
$26.5 million
Television Show
Big Bang Theory
3. Johnny Galecki
https://www.instagram.com/p/BliYxiMBrd8/?hl=en&taken-by=sanctionedjohnnygalecki
Earnings
$25 million
Television Show
Big Bang Theory
4. Kaley Cuoco
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpIEpqnFDZs/?hl=en&taken-by=normancook
Earnings
$24.5 million
Television Show
Big Bang Theory
5. (tie) Ellen Pompeo
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgojiOZl4kp/?hl=en&taken-by=ellenpompeo
Earnings
$23.5 million
Television Show
Grey’s Anatomy
5. (tie) Simon Helberg
https://www.instagram.com/p/zSSQ4MFbhm/?hl=en&taken-by=simonhelbergoficial
Earnings
$23.5 million
Television Show
Big Bang Theory
5. (tie) Kunal Nayyar
https://www.instagram.com/p/BouAxtyg6Ml/?hl=en&taken-by=kunalkarmanayyar
Earnings
$23.5 million
Television Show
Big Bang Theory
8. Mark Harmon
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlbjozxFQpx/?hl=en&taken-by=markharmonofficial_
Earnings
$19 million
Television Show
NCIS
9. Ed O’Neill
https://www.instagram.com/p/mQ41CGpoyd/?hl=en&taken-by=_edoneill
Earnings
$14 million
Television Show
Modern Family
10. Eric Stonestreet
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmJvdB3AuSt/?hl=en&taken-by=ericstonestreet
Earnings
$13.5 million
Television Show
Modern Family
11. (tie) Jesse Tyler Ferguson
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmbvX-dg7UU/?hl=en&taken-by=jessetyler
Earnings
$13 million
Television Show
Modern Family
11. (tie) Mariska Hargitay
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn-Y_o0nYLS/?hl=en&taken-by=therealmariskahargitay
Earnings
$13 million
Television Show
Law & Order: SVU
13. Julie Bowen
https://www.instagram.com/p/BoiWVjsAu2H/?hl=en&taken-by=itsjuliebowen
Earnings
$12.5 million
Television Show
Modern Family
14. (tie) Mayim Bialik
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpZ-K5jBqfL/?hl=en&taken-by=missmayim
Earnings
$12 million
Television Show
Big Bang Theory
14. (tie) Melissa Rauch
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXhefdBAuaA/?hl=en&taken-by=themelissarauch
Earnings
$12 million
Television Show
Big Bang Theory
14. (tie) Ty Burrell
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWkTmFehqgs/?hl=en&taken-by=tygburrell
Earnings
$12 million
Television Show
Modern Family
17. (tie) Kerry Washington
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk6EXqWFeuL/?hl=en&taken-by=kerrywashington
Earnings
$11 million
Television Show
Scandal
17. (tie) Andrew Lincoln
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpZ4VJUgcFR/?hl=en&tagged=andrewlincoln
Earnings
$11 million
Television Show
The Walking Dead
19. Claire Danes
https://www.instagram.com/p/Be1HuKaByHi/?hl=en&taken-by=clairedanes
Earnings
$9 million
Television Show
Homeland
20. Pauley Perrette
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDL3UIQBoUU/?hl=en&taken-by=realpauleyp
Earnings
$8.5 million
Television Show
NCIS