HBO Money Dominates Highest-Paid TV Actors List For 2021

In addition to compiling a list of the biggest (known) actor salaries in Hollywood which saw soon-to-be-retired 007, Daniel Craig, cash in a monstrous $100 million paycheque for Rian Johnson’s forthcoming Knives Out sequels, Variety has taken it upon itself to put together a breakdown of the highest-paid actors on TV (as of 2021).

Previously, actors viewed navigating from feature-length films to television as a career setback. Generally speaking, you only wanted to “progress” the other way. But since the renaissance of the small screen, which hailed a new era rich with premium short-form + serialised content – i.e. anything HBO did from The Sopranos to True Detective and beyond, AMC’s Mad Men, Netflix’s House of Cards – television is where both the superior story-telling and paydays have come from. Hence why you’re about to encounter the salaries of Robert Downey Jr., Chris Pratt, Jeff Bridges, Kate Winslet, Alec Baldwin, Jude Law, Steve Martin, Martin Short, and plenty more A-listers.

RELATED: Daniel Craig Is Earning Over $100 Million For The ‘Knives Out’ Sequels

Streaming money has once again made a strong showing, with 11 of the top 29 names securing some tidy income from an online viewership; gradually encroaching on the long-held territory occupied by traditional networks (cable or otherwise). The crown, however, belongs to HBO and HBO Max, with a grand total of 11 entrants including the top spot (four from Succession alone).

“We’re in a little bit of a bubble right now,” explains an unnamed Hollywood agent in reference to the current streaming boom and appetite of Netflix, Amazon, Disney, HBO Max, etc.

“I don’t see salaries diminishing at this point… I’m still pretty darn bullish on that.”

Check out the highest-paid actors on TV for 2021 below.

RELATED: Pedro Pascal Is One Of The Highest-Paid TV Actors Thanks To ‘The Last Of Us’

Here Are The Highest-Paid Actors On TV – Salary Per Episode [2021]

**All figures converted to USD

1. Robert Downey Jr., The Sympathizer (HBO) – $2 million minimum
2. Chris Pratt, The Terminal List (Amazon) – $1.4 million
3. Jeff Bridges, The Old Man (FX) – $1 million
4. Bryan Cranston, Your Honor (Showtime) – $750,000
5. Sarah Jessica Parker, And Just Like That… (HBO Max) – $650,000 to $750,000
6. Cynthia Nixon, And Just Like That… (HBO Max) – $650,000 to $750,000
7. Kristin Davis, And Just Like That… (HBO Max) – $650,000 to $750,000
8. Kate Winslet, Mare of Easttown (HBO) – $650,000
9. Gillian Anderson, The First Lady (Showtime) – $600,000
10. Viola Davis, The First Lady (Showtime) – $600,000
11. Michelle Pfeiffer, The First Lady (Showtime) – $600,000
12. Pedro Pascal, The Last of Us (HBO) – $600,000
13. Steve Martin, Only Murders in the Building (Hulu) – $600,000
14. Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building (Hulu) – $600,000
15. Alec Baldwin, Dr Death (Peacock) – $575,000
16. Angela Bassett, 9-1-1 (Fox) – $450,000
17. Jude Law, The Third Day (HBO) – $425,000
18. Brian Cox, Succession (HBO) – $400,000 to $500,000
19. Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso (Apple) – $400,000 for Season 1
20. Henry Cavill, The Witcher (Netflix) – $400,000
21. Ted Danson, Mr Mayor (NBC) – $400,000
22. Sara Gilbert, The Conners (ABC) – $400,000
23. John Goodman, The Conners (ABC) – $400,000
24. Laurie Metcalf, The Conners (ABC) – $400,000
25. David Harbour, Stranger Things (Netflix) – $350,000 to $400,000
26. Winona Ryder, Stranger Things (Netflix) – $350,000 to $400,000
27. Kieran Culkin, Succession (HBO) – $300,000 to $350,000
28. Sarah Snook, Succession (HBO) – $300,000 to $350,000
29. Jeremy Strong, Succession (HBO) – $300,000 to $350,000