Who is the highest paid actor in a TV series per episode?

Who Was the Highest-Paid TV Actor Per Episode?

When it comes to top-tier television salaries, few names stand out like Ray Romano. Best known for his role as the lovable and perpetually exasperated Raymond Barone in Everybody Loves Raymond, Romano made history not just with laughs, but with paychecks. During the show’s ninth and final season—aired from September 2004 to May 2005—he earned a staggering $1.94 million per episode, making him the highest-paid actor per episode in TV series history at the time.

This salary wasn’t pulled out of thin air. By its final season, Everybody Loves Raymond had become a ratings powerhouse for CBS, consistently ranking among the most-watched shows in the U.S. Romano, not only the star but also a producer and creative force behind the series, had significant leverage in negotiations. His earnings reflected both the show’s success and the changing economics of top-tier television in the early 2000s.

While other stars like Kelsey Grammer and Mark Harmon have also commanded multi-million dollar per-episode fees in later years, Romano’s $1.94 million remains a landmark figure. It’s a testament to how a well-written sitcom, combined with strong ratings and backend ownership, can translate into unprecedented paydays.

Though inflation and modern streaming deals have shifted the landscape, Romano’s peak salary still stands as a defining moment in TV history—one where a relatable, everyday dad character on a network sitcom commanded movie-star pay for every single punchline.