New York: Modern Family star Sofia Vergara has been named the highest paid television actress by Forbes owing to her $19 million earnings between May 2011-2012.
Sofia Vergara. Getty images
The 40-year-old Colombian actress’ hit show Modern Family is averaging 12 million viewers in its third season. A slew of endorsement and licensing deals keep her paychecks fat and LatinWE, the media company she cofounded in 1996, just had a top-earning year with USD 27 million in revenues.
The past twelve months have made Vergara the reigning queen of prime time television, out-earning reality star Kim Kardashian, who comes in at second place on the list with $18 million in earnings.
Eva Longoria ranks third, pulling in $15 million for her role on Desperate Housewives. Longoria’s got earnings that land her far above her on-screen neighbours; endorsement deals with L’Oreal and Pepsi Next earned her USD 5 million.
Reality television dominated the top five — Kim’s sister Khloe Kardashian Odom and Skinnygirl Bethenny Frankel complete the top tier of the best paid TV actresses list with $11 million and $12 million respectively.
30 Rock star Tina Fey, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star Mariska Hargitay, New Girl Zooey Deschanel, Desperate Housewives star Felicity Huffman and Grey’s Anatomy actress Ellen Pompeo rounded out the top ten.
PTI
