Ashton Kutcher has joined Hugh Laurie as the highest paid actor on TV in America, according to a new magazine study.
Both stars will earn US$700,000-per-episode for Two and a Half Men and House, respectively, when the two high-rated shows return to TV next month, but Kutcher also reportedly has a deal in place, where he'll profit further if his sitcom is a hit.
Kutcher is replacing fired Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men.
However, both actors' 2011/2012 TV salaries won't match Simon Cowell's package when he kicks off his new X Factor show - the study, carried out by TV Guide magazine, suggests he's on a whopping US$75 million-per-year.
And the music mogul's replacement on American Idol, Jennifer Lopez, has signed a new deal to return to the talent show reportedly worth US$20 million for the second season.
Also among the big US TV earners: chat show hosts David Letterman and Jay Leno bring in US$28 million and US$25 million annually, NCIS star Mark Harmon (US$500,000-per-episode), and Kutcher's Two and a Half Men sidekick Jon Cryer (US$600,000-per-show).
WENN.com