Kevin Hart Tops Forbes’s List of the Highest-Paid Comedians

Starring in a string of blockbuster comedies and stand-up specials has really paid off for Kevin Hart!
The hard-working comic topped Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid comedians, earning a reported $87.5 million between June 1, 2015 and June 1, 2016.

Hart, who has starred in the surprise hits Ride Along, The Wedding Ringer and Central Intelligence in the last few years, has actually made most of his money by “touring like a rockstar,” according to Forbes.


The 37-year-old father of two has played over 100 live shows this year alone, and often sells out stadiums and arenas, as opposed to comedy clubs and theaters.

The accomplishment is made even more impressive by the fact that Hart has become the first comedian to ever earn more than Jerry Seinfeld since Forbes first began compiling the list almost a decade ago.

Seinfeld, however, still fared well, coming in second and earning $43.5 million over the last year. A majority of his money comes from owning the rights to his hit self-titled sitcom which recently signed a massive deal with Hulu. Seinfeld still tours as a stand-up as well, and his popular web series, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, was just renewed for a new season on Crackle.

Another notable addition to the list is Amy Schumer, who came in fourth, and is also the first female comic to ever make Forbes’ highest-paid list.

The 35-year-old actress and comedian earned $17 million over the last year, raking in the profits from a sizeable book deal, her Comedy Central series Inside Amy Schumer, her starring role in the hit comedy Trainwreck and a series of national commercial spots for Bud Light.
Dave Chappelle also earned a place on the list, coming in sixth with a total of $13 million in earnings in the last year.

The 43-year-old star’s hit Comedy Central series came to an end over 10 years ago after he famously left the show midway through production on its third season. However, Chappelle went on a sold-out stand-up tour last year and appeared in his first acting role in over a decade in Spike Lee’s Chi-Raq.

For the complete list of the world’s highest-paid comedians, check out Forbes’ in-depth breakdown here.