TV Talk Show Host Day: Which Daytime Host Makes The Most Money?

The talk show world is thriving with hosts from all networks netting some big bucks to chat with celebrities, cook a dish or two, and hold an audience’s attention. Here are the highest-paid talk show hosts in 2020 in honor of TV Talk Show Host Day.

Ellen DeGeneres reigns supreme, netting a cool $84 million as of June for her appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” as well as other ventures, which include licensing fees from her PetSmart and Bed, Bath & Beyond deals, Forbes reported. She has also produced the show “Little Big Shots,” was a judge on “American Idol,” and was the voice of Dory in the Pixar flick “Finding Nemo,” where she was paid $75,000 for three years of work, according got IMDb.

Dr. Phil McGraw, who rose to fame with a little help from the former talk show host, Oprah Winfrey, appears on self-named “The Dr. Phil Show.” Dr. Phil pulled in $65.5 million as of June 2020 as a host on one of the most-watched syndicated talk shows on TV, Forbes said. McGraw not only gets paid for his appearance on “The Dr. Phil Show,” but he also earns a percentage of all advertising revenue and product placements as well as being the executive producer of “Bull” and “The Doctors,” Forbes said.

Ryan Seacrest also tops the list of the highest-paid talk show hosts, earning $60 million as of June 2020, and $10 million a year hosting the show “Live!” with Kelly Ripa, Forbes said. He also pulls in money for hosting “American Idol,” working as executive producer on “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” and has his own menswear line Ryan Seacrest Distinction with Macy’s, Forbes said.

The outspoken Wendy Williams from “The Wendy Williams Show” makes $10 million a year as a talk show host on her namesake TV program with a net worth of $40 million, Just the Richest said. The site reports the host as having a net worth of $40 million. Williams also appeared in the film “Think Like a Man” as well as being the author of several books, including “Ask Wendy,” according to IMDb.

Whoopi Goldberg is also a top talk show host from the show “The View.” She has a net worth of about $45 million, Just the Richest said, and has appeared in a series of films, including “The Color Purple” and “Sister Act.” Goldberg makes about $5 to $7 million on “The View.”