The Highest-Paid TV Hosts of All Time

David Letterman

With a net worth of $400 million, this retired late-night talk show host earned a salary of $50 million for his work. Letterman presented on the series for 33 years between 1982, when Late Night with David Letterman debuted on NBC, and 2015 when Late Show with David Letterman wrapped on CBS. Letterman surpassed his friend and mentor Johnny Carson as the longest-serving late-night talk show host in American TV history.

Also, a TV and film producer, Letterman's company produced a number of shows and prime-time comedies, such as Everybody Loves Raymond. Conan O'Brien, Letterman's successor on The Late Show, cites Letterman as one of his biggest influences—along with Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, John Oliver, and Seth Meyers. Letterman now hosts My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman on Netflix.

Advertisement

Next Page →

The More You Know

  • George Lazenby wasn't an actual actor. He got himself a suit, a Rolex and a new haircut, then met with the producer and made up movies he had been in. He later landed the role of James Bond.
  • Ninety percent of the world’s population lives above the equator.
  • During your lifetime, you will spend around seventy-nine days brushing your teeth.
  • Almost all chickens eaten today come from the winner of the 1948 'Chicken of Tomorrow' Contest whose genetics now dominate poultry farms worldwide.
Next Page →

Post originally appeared on Upbeat News.