Two Million Dollars per Episode: The Highest-Paid TV Stars Named

The ranking was compiled by the American publication [Variety](https://au.variety.com/2026/tv/global/tv-biggest-salaries-zendaya-nicolas-cage-selena-gomez-more-42530/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), which studied the fees of Hollywood stars working on television and streaming platforms. Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon earn two million dollars per episode for "The Morning Show" on Apple TV. Similar amounts are earned by Sylvester Stallone for his role in the crime drama "Tulsa King" and Chris Pratt, who stars in the series "The Terminal List." The top ten highest-paid actors also include: - Kenneth Branagh — $1.4 million per episode for the series "Laird." - Harrison Ford and Jason Segel — $1.3 million per episode for "Shrinking." - Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser — $1.2 million per episode for "Yellowstone." - Elisabeth Moss — $1.1 million per episode for "The Shining Girls." Around one million dollars per episode is earned by Zendaya for "Euphoria," Nicolas Cage for "Spider-Man: Noir," and Robert De Niro for "Zero Day." This category also includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Alan Ritchson, and Jennifer Garner. Among the television millionaires are the lead actors in the comedy detective series "Only Murders in the Building" — Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Martin Short. As noted by Variety, despite the reduction in the production of original series in Hollywood, the fees of the biggest stars remain exceptionally high. Streaming platforms are willing to pay millions for the participation of well-known actors, as their names help attract viewers. At the same time, the artists themselves are increasingly preferring series over feature films. One reason is the relatively short shooting schedules. Modern seasons typically consist of six to ten episodes, whereas in the past, television projects often had more than twenty episodes. However, high earnings are not available to everyone. Actors who do not have first-tier star status are finding it increasingly difficult to secure stable work. The reduction in the number of episodes decreases their income, although studios are now more often allowing performers to participate in multiple projects simultaneously. Variety emphasizes that the published list is not exhaustive, and the amounts indicated are approximate. In some cases, they include not only acting fees but also producing payments and additional bonuses.