Highest-paid comedians in the world

By Newsday StaffJuly 27, 2017

Forbes has released its Top 10 list of the highest-paid comedians of 2017.

Using a variety of data sources, and from its own research and reporting, the business publication has determined that these funny folks made a combined $374.5 million (before any taxes or management fees, from June 1, 2016 to June 1, 2017); now it’s time to see whose sense of humor ended up earning some serious cash.

8. Terry Fator

Credit: AP

INCOME: $18.5 million

Fator, who calls himself "The Voice of Entertainment," remained on the list of thanks to his residency at The Mirage hotel and casino in Las Vegas where he performed over 225 shows.

5. Amy Schumer

Credit: AP / Jordan Strauss

INCOME: $37.5 million

Forbes reports that Rockville Centre-born Amy Schumer remains the only female comic to make the highest-paid list, thanks to endorsement deals, her book "The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo" and her Netflix stand-up, "The Leather Special."

4. Dave Chappelle

Credit: Getty Images / Eugene Gologursky

INCOME: $47 million

Chappelle made the list thanks to a deal with Netflix for three comedy specials. In addition to the eight-figure paychecks, the first two specials became Netflix's most watched stand-up specials ever.

3. Louis C.K

Credit: Getty Images for Comedy Central / Stephen Lovekin

INCOME: $52 million

Forbes estimated that roughly a little over half of Louis C.K.'s income came from his two Netflix specials.

2. Chris Rock

Credit: AP / Mark J. Terrill

INCOME: $57 million

Forbes states that Rock's comeback is thanks to a multitude of revenue streams, including his No Apologies tour, four films, a television show, an HBO special and a book.

1. Jerry Seinfeld

Credit: Getty Images / Jamie McCarthy

INCOME: $69 million

Massapequa-born Seinfeld still tours, and he also hosts the web series "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee," but a significant portion of his earnings come from his namesake sitcom; the show has been out of production since 1999, but still earns millions annually in syndication.