CSI Files
Captain
<font color=yellow>William Petersen</font>'s role as Gil Grissom on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation earns him the largest paycheck per episode.
As reported in the July 23 issue of TV Guide, on a list of the highest paid actors in network primetime shows in the United States, Petersen easily takes the top spot. It is reported that he earns $500,000 per episode of CSI. Based on that number, Petersen currently earns an estimated $12 million dollars for a single season of the hit CBS drama. CSI is such a profitable series that it's no wonder the network can afford to pay out such a high salary. Playing the lead character gives Petersen a large income, but there are other benefits as well. Petersen was able to request time off during the show's seventh season to return to the theater for a short time.
Although Petersen had the highest salary on the list, the runners-up still make an impressive amount of money per episode. The second-highest salary was $350,000 per episode, and there were three actors who earned this amount: Two and a Half Men star <font color=yellow>Charlie Sheen</font>, as well as <font color=yellow>Mariska Hargitay</font> and <font color=yellow>Chris Meloni</font> from Law and Order: SVU. <font color=yellow>Hugh Laurie</font> (House) pulls in $300,000 per episode, while <font color=yellow>Julia Louis-Dreyfus</font> makes $225,000 for her role on The New Adventures of Old Christine. Rounding out the top five salaries for primetime network television actors were <font color=yellow>Ellen Pompeo</font> (Grey's Anatomy) and <font color=yellow>Eva Longoria</font> (Desperate Housewives), both of whom made $200,000 per episode of their respective shows.
The list was not limited to primetime stars. On an overall list of the highest salaries, even Petersen's estimated $12 million per season does not come close to winning the top spot. That honor goes to <font color=yellow>Oprah Winfrey</font>, who reportedly makes $260 million dollars per year. American Idol's <font color=yellow>Simon Cowell</font> came in second with $45 million, followed by <font color=yellow>Judge Sheindlin</font> (Judge Judy) with $30 million. Sheindlin is the top-earning daytime star with <font color=yellow>Bob Barker</font> coming in second at $10 million per year. CBS Evening News anchor <font color=yellow>Katie Couric</font> is the highest paid news anchor with an annual salary of $15 million.
The full list can be read on Yahoo TV.<center></center>
As reported in the July 23 issue of TV Guide, on a list of the highest paid actors in network primetime shows in the United States, Petersen easily takes the top spot. It is reported that he earns $500,000 per episode of CSI. Based on that number, Petersen currently earns an estimated $12 million dollars for a single season of the hit CBS drama. CSI is such a profitable series that it's no wonder the network can afford to pay out such a high salary. Playing the lead character gives Petersen a large income, but there are other benefits as well. Petersen was able to request time off during the show's seventh season to return to the theater for a short time.
Although Petersen had the highest salary on the list, the runners-up still make an impressive amount of money per episode. The second-highest salary was $350,000 per episode, and there were three actors who earned this amount: Two and a Half Men star <font color=yellow>Charlie Sheen</font>, as well as <font color=yellow>Mariska Hargitay</font> and <font color=yellow>Chris Meloni</font> from Law and Order: SVU. <font color=yellow>Hugh Laurie</font> (House) pulls in $300,000 per episode, while <font color=yellow>Julia Louis-Dreyfus</font> makes $225,000 for her role on The New Adventures of Old Christine. Rounding out the top five salaries for primetime network television actors were <font color=yellow>Ellen Pompeo</font> (Grey's Anatomy) and <font color=yellow>Eva Longoria</font> (Desperate Housewives), both of whom made $200,000 per episode of their respective shows.
The list was not limited to primetime stars. On an overall list of the highest salaries, even Petersen's estimated $12 million per season does not come close to winning the top spot. That honor goes to <font color=yellow>Oprah Winfrey</font>, who reportedly makes $260 million dollars per year. American Idol's <font color=yellow>Simon Cowell</font> came in second with $45 million, followed by <font color=yellow>Judge Sheindlin</font> (Judge Judy) with $30 million. Sheindlin is the top-earning daytime star with <font color=yellow>Bob Barker</font> coming in second at $10 million per year. CBS Evening News anchor <font color=yellow>Katie Couric</font> is the highest paid news anchor with an annual salary of $15 million.
The full list can be read on Yahoo TV.<center></center>