Sofia Vergara Tops As Highest Earning TV Star (Again)
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| Sofia Vergara is the highest paid television actress for second year in a row, pictured in Los Angeles in August |
Modern Family star Sofia Vergara is the highest paid actress on television for the second year in a row, according to Forbes. Vergara’s ranking is part of their larger Celebrity 100 list. The data is based on earnings made from sitcom/series work, endorsements, and licensing deals from June 2012 to June 2013. The top five highest earning actresses all hail from comedy, drama, and reality shows.
In addition to her starring role on Modern Family, Vergara is the executive producer of upcoming ABC drama Killer Women, has a successful Kmart fashion line, and has endorsement deals with Diet Pepsi, Covergirl, Rooms to Go, Comcast, and and thyroid medicine Synthroid. The Colombian born star earned over $30 million last year alone, making her by far the most successful woman on TV.
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| The 41-year-old's wealth is mostly due to lucrative endorsement deals with both Kmart and Diet Pepsi |
The star is, according to Forbes, ‘the reigning queen of celebrity endorsement deals’.
But Vergara doesn’t just top the list, she’s the highest paid actress by a significant margin – the second most-paid TV actresses are $19 million behind her – which might also just be her lucky number, as $19 million is also how much the actress earned as 2012′s top earning female TV star.
Tied for number two are actresses Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order) and Kaley Cuoco (The Big Bang Theory) earning $11 million this year.
There was also a five-way tie for fourth place earnings between Melissa McCarthy (Mike & Molly), The Kardashians, Ellen Pompeo (Grey’s Anatomy), Bethenny Frankel, and Tina Fey, all earning $10 million this year.
Forbes’ list considers reality TV appearances a type of performance – “yes, it’s true, we consider reality TV acting—don’t you?” Forbes' Meghan Casserly writes. McCarthy’s place is lower than expected considering the astronomical high she’s been riding since Bridesmaids with two movies and a Saturday Night Live hosting gig this year. But with the top 20 TV actresses earning a combined total of $183 million in 2013.
Meanwhile, Vergara has a busy promotional schedule ahead of her for the remainder of the year. The fifth season of Modern Family will commence airing on September 25. And she also co-stars with Sharon Stone in Fading Gigolo, which will have a limited release later this year.