Jerry Seinfeld Tops Forbes' List of Highest-Earning Comedians

Funnyman takes the No. 1 spot for the third year in a row

By Peter Gicas Jul 12, 2013 9:13 PMTags
Jerry SeinfeldLloyd Bishop/NBC

No joke!

Forbes just released its list of the highest-earning comedians, and the No. 1 spot went to none other than Jerry Seinfeld...for the third year in a row.

Yep. The man who made a name for himself with a show about nothing pulled in a cool $32 million between June 2012 and June 2013.

But according to the money mag, the syndication royalties from his hit series is only a small percentage of the dough he made, with most of it coming from the more than 70 tour dates he had over the last 12 months.

In fact, concert ticket sales had to be the primary source of income in order to land on the list.

So who else made the cut thanks to their comedy?

Well, rounding out the top 10 are Terry Fator ($24 million), Russell Peters ($21 million), Jeff Dunham ($19 million), Louis C.K. ($16 million), Kevin Hart ($14 million), Larry the Cable Guy ($13 million), George Lopez ($12 million), a tie between Daniel Tosh and Gabriel Iglesias ($11 million) and Ron White ($10 million).

Earlier this year, Seinfeld made an appearance on Saturday Night Live during a sketch spoofing The Voice when Adam Levine hosted back in January.

"Like all successful singers, I knew I would try to overreach and try acting," Levine said in his opening monologue. "I've been a coach on The Voice for the last two years, so, tonight, I hope you don't judge me too harshly."

"Fat chance Levine," Andy Samberg said, popping up in a Voice-style chair. "You need wisdom. I was in over 100 digital shorts as well as three live sketches, and I've dealt with my fair share of singers-turned-actors. Timberlake."

Cameron Diaz was also on hand, turning in a chair and telling Levine: "If you want to succeed in comedy, you have to check your pride at the door. You have to be able to take a handful of Ben Stiller's spooge and stick it right in your hair and spike it up like a Mohawk."

"We've all done it," Samberg added.

Finally, Seinfeld turned and chimed in. "I should be your coach. I get you...appealing, not as Jewish as your name. When it comes to your comedy, be smart, be clever, be one step ahead of the audience, that's where you use your Jewishness."