Simon Cowell tops Forbes' list of Top Male Earners in Prime-time

Guess what? "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell made more money last year than Donald Trump.

Forbes released their list of the Top 10 Male Earners in Prime-time on Nov. 9. The contents may surprise you -- some of the names certainly surprised us.

Simon Cowell is the Tyra Banks of prime-time television. He is #1 on the list (Tyra was #1 on the female side) with a whopping $75 million as his haul from last year. Since he just negotiated a deal to bring "The X Factor" to the U.S., we imagine he'll occupy this spot next year as well.

Coming in second is real estate mogul and bad-hair-haver Donald Trump at $50 million. "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest is third with $38 million, though we think he's earned every penny. Seacrest really has become the hardest working man in show business. Rounding out the top 5 are Charlie Sheen ($21 million) and Steve Carell ($20 million).

Here's where the surprises come in. #6 on the list? Howie Mandel, at $15 million. Kiefer Sutherland is #7 at $13 million. Jeff Foxworthy is #8 with $11 million. I mean, we know he hosts "Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader" but... really?

The final two spots are #9 Hugh Laurie with an even $10 million and a tie for tenth place between David Caruso and Patrick Dempsey at $9 million.

Interestingly, the women's list total (not counting money twice for ties) is $102.2 million. The men's list total is more than double, at $262 million. In fact, if you leave Tyra Banks off the list, Simon Cowell makes more than the rest of the women combined.

See the Top Male Earners in pictures

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