It’s no secret that most celebs can’t complain when it comes to their salaries — but how much do they actually make? According to Parade, quite a range in 2008 — from $1 to billions.
Jennifer Aniston reportedly earned $27 million on the strength of films such as “Marley & Me,” and funnyman Will Ferrell made $31 million. Actor/director Tyler Perry, the force behind the “Madea” movies, brought home $125 million, while “Grey’s Anatomy” star Patrick Dempsey made a McDreamy $3.5 million.
In the music world, Beyonce scored $80 million thanks to her latest album, “I Am… Sasha Fierce” and a budding film career, and husband Jay-Z did even better with $82 million. Country cutie Taylor Swift — the top-selling musician of 2008 — made $5.5 million. Resurgent pop princess Britney Spears wasn’t far behind, making $2.25 million.
Sports stars cleaned up as well, with Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez making $34 million and golf champ Tiger Woods taking home $110 million. Race car driver Danica Patrick earned $7 million.
TV host Kelly Ripa earned $8 million, while supermodel Carolyn Murphy took home $4.5 million. Popular author John Grisham made $25 million and controversial radio host Rush Limbaugh walked away with $38 million.
While not in the millions, political figures were up there, too. Embattled Illinois ex-governor Rod Blagojevich made $177,400 and former vice-presidential candidate and current Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin made $125,000 — not as much as her TV impersonator, Tina Fey, who made $4.6 million. Meanwhile, billionaire New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg took home a single dollar for his day job.
Hero pilot Chesley Sullenberger, who saved the lives of a crew of people with his miraculous Hudson River landing, made $100,000.
But the most successful celebrity of 2008 was Barbie, the iconic doll’s sales topped out at $3.3 billion for the year.