adminIN order for comics to make the cut for our list, their primary source of income had to come from concert ticket sales. To compile our earnings numbers, which consist of pre-tax gross income, we talked to agents, lawyers and other industry insiders to come up with an estimate for what each comedian earned between June 1, 2012 and June 1, 2013. This year’s male-dominated top 10 collectively earned a beefy US$201 million over the past 12 months.
It may be the digital age, but even with content so accessible — for cheap — online, stand-up has been an unusually healthy and stable business. Since the comedy boom in the ’80s, business has become more sophisticated and competitive, but fans continue to gravitate toward live shows, weak economy or not.
Of the hot new talents surging onto our list, Kevin Hart is undoubtedly the most impressive. The Philadelphia native has a social media followings that boasts 7,7 million Twitter followers, 7,4 million Facebook fans and 390 000 YouTube subscribers. This year, Hart earned an estimated US$14 million with the help of his sold-out international comedy tour. It was the world’s third most popular comedy tour of 2012, according to Pollstar, the concert data publication.
Bruce Hills, Chief Operating Officer of Just For Laughs, the world’s largest international comedy festival, says artistes are becoming more independent than ever. “In the next decade, comedians will continue to build their business and have the potential to control their own futures without traditional intermediaries,” he said.
While the comics on our list are flying high, life can be hard for many in the lower rungs of the business. Most aspiring comics start out in the local club scene, where gigs can pay as little as US$20 for a weekday spot and US$75 on a weekend.
“Comedians don’t get paid much their first seven or eight years,” says Benjy Susswein, a comedy booker at Stand Up NY. “Many comedians who perform at our club who have late-night credits also need day jobs to pay the rent. It’s a brutal job with different hours: nights, weekends; it’s a lot of driving out, bombing, having your heart ripped out, and learning from that.”
But, as with everything else in entertainment: no pain, no gain. Some fresh faces emerging from that process who might make our list in the coming years: Amy Schumer, Bill Burr and Aziz Ansari. Now to move on to the big dollar earners.
No. 1: Jerry Seinfeld
US$32 million
Seinfeld’s invincible star power earns him top touring-dollars for the large crowds he pulls, and the veteran’s take-home cut of each show is higher than any other comedian on our list. Still, what helps keep the king of comedy on top of FORBES’ rankings are the several million syndication dollars he earns each year from Seinfeld reruns. Not bad for a show about nothing. His latest project: “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee”, Seinfeld’s Internet series of web interviews with comedians, in cars, getting coffee.
No. 2: Terry Fator
US$24 million
Reality show victors rarely find career longevity after cameras cut, but ventriloquist Terry Fator has been an exception since he (and his puppets) won America’s Got Talent in 2007. In the past year, Fator has performed more than 200 shows — more than any other comedian on our list — thanks to his five-year contract with Las Vegas’ Mirage Hotel, reportedly worth US$100 million.
No. 3: Russell Peters
US$21 million
Thanks to YouTube and a massive global following, Peters is still one of the world’s most successful touring comedians. The Canadian-born joker has performed at sold-out concerts from Madison Square Garden to London’s O2 Arena, where his 2008 show broke an attendance record of over 16 000 fans. But Peters’ remaining challenge is conquering the American fan-scape.
No. 4: Jeff Dunham
US$19 million
Merchandise revenue can be a sizeable part of a comedian’s earnings, but Jeff Dunham, who topped this list in 2010, takes it to the next level with an estimated several million in merch profits — more than the ventriloquist gets from DVD sales. His fifth comedy special, Minding the Monsters, premiered last fall, while 2013 saw him branch out into feature film voice work with anime flick From Up on Poppy Hill.
No. 5: Louis C.K.
US$16 million
The mastermind behind the Emmy-winning Louie is a risk-taker who has transformed the business with his lucrative ticket-distributing platform. Last year, he sold digital downloads of his comedy special directly to fans on his website, grossing US$4,5 million in sales in just 45 hours. He took the same approach this year by charging US$45 for a ticket to his show. Though C. K. admits cutting out the middlemen earns him less, it’s proven that his fans will only love him more.
No. 6: Kevin Hart
US$14 million
Hart’s persona on his BET mock reality show Real Husbands of Hollywood is that of a man always looking to climb the ranks of Hollywood’s A-list elite. Thanks to high-grossing gigs and multi-platinum sales of his DVD, “Laugh at My Pain”, which grossed over US$8 million since its release, Hart is climbing FORBES’ list as well. “Husbands” debuted to 4,1 million viewers. The comedian is also gaining attention in Hollywood with a roster of upcoming films and previous roles in hits like “Think Like A Man” and “This Is The End”.
No. 7: Larry the Cable Guy
US$13 million
For a comedian who’s made a career of playing a red-neck character with the Blue Collar Comedy posse, Larry the Cable Guy sure does plenty of white collar work: the former radio personality (real name: Daniel Whitney) took home a few million dollars this past year from tours and merchandise sales. Up next: lending his voice to the Blue Collar Boys’ animated series, Bounty Hunters.
No. 8: George Lopez
US$12 million
He isn’t the only funny man on the list to have dabbled as an author, but Lopez, who’s written two books — including his most recent, “I’m Not Going to Lie”, is the only one making a ton of paper from his publishing endeavours. He’s also is a top earner in the endorsement category, thanks to partnerships such as his Punchliner Comedy Club deal aboard Carnival Cruise Lines, which set sail last year. Next up: Lopez will be making a TV comeback with his new FX series, Saint George.
No. 9: Daniel Tosh (tie)
US$11 million
The host of Comedy Central’s Tosh may not have the star power of his network colleagues, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, but Tosh and his weekly Internet round-up show do outdraw them in the ratings. And when the comedian isn’t on your TV set, he’s probably infiltrating your other screens, as Tosh also has the list’s biggest social media following.
No. 9: Gabriel Iglesias
US$11 million
When he’s not touring his stand-up act across the country, Iglesias helps up-and-coming comedians get their start on “Stand Up Revolution”, his Comedy Central showcase. The comedian’s DVD sales for comedy specials continue to boost his earnings — an impressive feat, considering the last one came out in 2009 — while small roles in films such as Magic Mike and voice work for Pixar’s forthcoming Planes round out his portfolio.
No. 10: Ron White
US$10 million
He’s best known as the cigar-smoking comedian from the Blue Collar group, but Ron White still finds success even after he went solo in 2003. His first comedy special DVD, “They Call Me Tater Salad”, went multi-platinum and earned one of the highest Sunday ratings in the history of Comedy Central. The bulk of White’s earnings — an estimated US$8 million — came from his 100+ in the past year. He’s not slowing down anytime soon: White has many more gigs scheduled through 2014, with VIP packages available for his hardcore fans, the Rontourage. — forbes.com.
Online Reporter