Netflix may be most known for its prestigious original dramas and binge-worthy content; however, over the past few years, the streaming giant has been trying to carve out a niche for itself in the comedy arena. The website has been spending millions of dollars to net the prominent comedians for exclusive stand-up specials and content. No price is too high.
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They don't just bring in the notable names either, as lesser-known comedians have gotten their start on Netflix with smaller specials that have increased their value over time, such as Ali Wong. Here is a list of the comedians Netflix has paid the most money for exclusive stand-up specials.
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10 Wanda Sykes - $2.5 million
Sykes was outspoken about being low-balled by Netflix when they initially approached her about doing a stand-up comedy special. She had seen her peers getting lucrative $20 million dollar deals and claims she was only offered half of Mo'Nique's earnings(a controversial $500,000 that was well-documented on social media).
Eventually,Sykes ended up doing a special for Netflix because she states "they moved the comma." She doesn't confirm exactly how much the streamer ended up paying her but if she was initially offered $250,000 and the only difference was a comma change, we can assume it was $2.5 million. Her special, Not Normal, launched globally in May 2019.
9 Amy Schumer - $13 million
Back in 2016, Amy Schumer was one of the hottest comediennes on the block. Between her Comedy Central series (Inside Amy Schumer)and her unabashedly raunchy routines, people couldn't get enough of her. As it so happened, the same extended to Netflix! The streaming service commissioned Schumer for an hour-long comedy special called The Leather Special.
Initially, Netflix only offered her $11 million for the special. Variety reports that when Schumer asked for more money after seeing the amount male comedians Dave Chapelle and Chris Rock were making per special. Netflix eventually agreed and upped her paycheck to $13 million in total for one hour of comedy.
8 Jeff Dunham - $16.5 million
Dunham has been around the block for a while. He's notable for his schtick involving puppets and ventriloquism. Apparently, people can't get enough of Jeff Dunham and neither can Netflix. They were willing to pay him $16.5 million for one hour-long comedy special called Jeff Dunham: Relative Disaster.
Before Netflix, Dunham spent years on Comedy Central and then even did a few specials for NBC. The allure of Netflix came from doing something new he'd yet to experiment with that would available to people all around the world. They filmed his special in Ireland, and he even introduced a character in celebration of the location, Shamus, a drunken Irish baby.
7 Jim Gaffigan - $17.5 million
If you're a regular viewer of comedy routines on Netflix, then odds are you've already watched one or more of Jim Gaffigan's stand-up specials. Five of his specials are on the site and he has received a handsome of $17.5 million for them in total.For his sixth special, Nobel Ape, Gaffigan decided to go a different direction.
During an interview with Business Insider, Gaffigan explained his reasoning for why he decided against putting his sixth stand-up special on the streaming platform, "You didn't just have to have Netflix. And I thought this was appealing, that it'd be available to everyone at the same time."
6 Kevin James - $20 million
The King of Queens star was enlisted by Netflix to create a new stand-up comedy special after being out of the game for nearly 17 years. While confirmation of the exact amount James made for his special isn't available, it's estimated he made the same amount, $20 million, as other comedic giants who also had specials booked around the same timeframe as Kevin James.
Ellen DeGeneres, Chris Rock, and Dave Chappelle all signed deals within weeks of one another. It stands to reason James's own deal would be on par with his comedy peers. His special, Never Don't Give Up, premiered last year.
5 Ellen DeGeneres - $20 million
Ellen's stand-up special on Netflix is a big deal for multiple reasons. For starters, before booking her Netflix exclusive stand-up special, she hadn't done stand-up for fifteen years. In addition to making a grand return to the stage, DeGeneres marks the first and only female comedian to make that much money for a single special.
Her price tag is on par with other big-name stars like Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle. It makes sense given how revered Ellen is in the industry. She went on a brief tour last year and performed eight shows. Two of her Seattle sets were filmed for the streaming site.
4 Ricky Gervais - $40 million
Gervais's most recent Netflix was not in the stand-up category. He debuted the critically acclaimed series, After Life, earlier this year. Netflix has since renewed it for a second season. His current partnership with Netflix is going strong since he also received $40 million for two stand-up specials.
The first netted him $15 million and was titled Humanity. It debuted in 2018. Netflix has yet to release information on when the follow-up will premiere. It appears Gervais is doing just fine with the company given his work on After Life has been praised by audiences and critics alike.
3 Chris Rock - $40 million
As part of Netflix's efforts to rebrand their website as a pioneer in stand-up comedy specials, they netted established and Emmy Award-winning comedian, Chris Rock in a lucrative business deal. Rock made a return to the arena have an eight-year absence. Considering Netflix was willing to shell out $40 million for two stand-up specials, its easy to see why Chris Rock decided now was the time to make his grand return.
His first exclusive released in 2018 and was titled Tambourine. No word yet on when his second special will come out. "Chris Rock is a beloved actor and director, and his remarkable stand-up makes him comic royalty. There is no one like him." Said Netflix's chief content officer, Ted Sarandos, on the deal per The Hollywood Reporter.
2 Dave Chappelle - $60 million
Years ago Chappelle made headlines for leaving his successful series, The Chappelle Show. Since then, he has mostly stayed under the radar until he returned to host Saturday Night Live. His hosting gig was such a success, Netflix got into a bidding war with several other companies to snap up new comedy specials from the comedian.
The deal amounted to $60 million and included two specials from his archives in addition to a new one explicitly produced for Netflix. The initial Netflix specials included Age of Spin, Deep in the Heart of Texas, Equanimity, and The Bird Revelation, divided into two different segments.
1 Jerry Seinfeld - $100 million
The name Seinfeld is synonymous with success. No one understands that better than the man himself. From the Seinfeld syndication deals alone he has made more than $400 million. Therefore, Jerry Seinfeld is awarded the luxury of being more selective in his projects.
His recent hit series, Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee, has become a proven success but Seinfeld was unhappy with his lack of creative control over the project. He sought a new home for it outside of Crackle and decided on Netflix. The streaming service offered him a $100 million deal to acquire the rights to the series in addition to a stand-up special, his first in two decades, titled Jerry Before Seinfeld.
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FAQs
Who is the highest paying comedian? ›
Jeff Dunham
Jeff Dunham is an American comedian and ventriloquist who is one of the highest comedians in the world. Dunham is raking anywhere from $15 – 30 million per year. As of October 2022, Jeff Dunham's net worth is estimated to be $140 million.
The company's long-term investment in Gervais includes releasing shows he stars in, like Derek and After Life, and reportedly paying him $40 million in total for his most recent pair of comedy specials.
How much does Dave Chappelle make per Netflix special? ›Key Background. Netflix and Chappelle began their relationship in 2016, when it was reported the comedian agreed to produce three comedy specials for the streaming service for $20 million each.
Is Eddie Murphy a billionaire? ›Is Eddie Murphy a billionaire? No. With a net worth of $600 Million, Eddie Murphy is not a billionaire.
Who is the most successful British comedian? ›- 1 Ricky Gervais95%
- 2 David Walliams94%
- 3 Jimmy Carr94%
- 4 Michael McIntyre93%
- 5 Alan Carr93%
- 6 Matt Lucas93%
- 7 Peter Kay93%
- 8 Harry Hill92%
The Rock, Dwayne Johnson, is the richer out of the two with an estimated net worth of $800 million compared to Kevin's $450 million net worth valuation.
Who is the most paid actor? ›...
Michael McIntyre Net Worth.
| Net Worth: | $80 Million |
|---|---|
| Nationality: | United Kingdom |
In 2018, Netflix reportedly paid Ricky $20 million for a standup special. Netflix had previously purchased his special "Humanity," reportedly also for $20 million. Between June 2017 and June 2018, Ricky earned $25 million from his various endeavors.
How much money has Ricky Gervais made from The Office? ›As of 2022, Gervais' net worth is estimated at 140m dollars. The famous comedian is believed to have earned 100m dollars before taxes through syndication sales, with Comcast's NBC having paid 500m dollars for the rights to show 'The Office' in 2019.
How much does Kevin Hart make per show? ›
But Kevin Hart is most well known for his acting and stand-up. Hart is about to embark on his latest comedy tour, but his last one earned him around $70 million. Additionally, Hart's acting career earns him an average of around $20 million per role.
How rich is Kevin Hart? ›Introduction. As of October 2022, Kevin Hart's net worth is estimated to be roughly $450 Million. What is this? Kevin Darnell Hart is an American comedian and actor from Philadelphia.
What is Chris Rock 2022 worth? ›As of October 2022, Chris Rock's net worth is $60 Million. What is this? Chris Rock is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director.
How much is Ed Sheeran worth? ›Thanks to hits like “Shape of You,” “Bad Habits,” “Castle on the Hill” and “Perfect,” Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has an estimated net worth of $200 million dollars, according to CelebrityNetWorth.com.
What is Samuel L Jacksons net worth? ›Introduction. Samuel L Jackson's net worth is $250 Million As of October 2022, and he is known for being one of the best actors of all time. What is this? Samuel Leroy Jackson is an American film producer and actor from Washington.
How rich is Will Smith? ›Will Smith's net worth is estimated at $350 Million, making him one of the richest actors in the world. At 51 years old, Will Smith is an American actor, rapper, and songwriter. Millions love him, and he's unarguably been one of the most lovable actors throughout his career. What is this?
Who is most popular comedian? ›| Rank | Name | Notable works |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kevin Hart | Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain, Ride Along, The Secret Life of Pets |
| 2 | Jerry Seinfeld | Seinfeld, The Marriage Ref, I'm Telling You for the Last Time |
| 3 | Terry Fator | America's Got Talent |
| 4 | Amy Schumer | Trainwreck, Inside Amy Schumer, 2015 MTV Movie Awards |
...
Gary the Goat.
| Gary the Goat outside the Wagga Wagga Court House | |
|---|---|
| Species | Domesticated goat |
| Known for | Video and live appearances |
| Owner | Jimbo Bazoobi |
| garythegoat.tv | |
| Rank | Name | Movies |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adam Sandler | 24 |
| 2 | Eddie Murphy | 22 |
| 3 | Jim Carrey | 13 |
| 4 | Will Ferrell | 29 |
...
| Kevin Bridges | |
|---|---|
| Medium | Stand-up, television, radio |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Genres | Observational comedy |
| Subject(s) | Everyday life, family, human interaction, current events |
Who appears on Mock the Week? ›
The show featured two teams of three, composed of regular panellists and various guest performers. Hugh Dennis appeared in every series, while other regulars included Frankie Boyle, Rory Bremner, Andy Parsons, Russell Howard, Chris Addison and Angela Barnes, who all featured for the entirity of at least one series.
What is the name of the Scottish comedian? ›1) Billy Connolly
WHAT makes Billy Connolly not only the greatest comedian in the UK, but the world? We've long attached superlatives to his name, long tried to wonder what makes the Glaswegian so funny.
...
| Jason Statham | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Partner(s) | Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (2010–present; engaged) |
| Children | 2 |
According to multiple websites, Johnny Depp's net worth is $150 million (approximately Rs 1163 crore) and he charges approximately Rs 160 crore for a film. Johnny owns a house in the Hollywood Hills, which is spread over 7,100 square feet and has eight bedrooms and 10 bathrooms.
Who is No 1 richest actor? ›As of August 2022, Jerry Seinfeld is the richest actor in the world with a net worth of $950 million. Who is the 2nd richest actor in the world? Tyler Perry with a net worth of $800 million.
Who is the highest paid singer? ›This may come as a bit of a surprise, but Bruce Springsteen made it to the top of Forbes' list of highest-earning musicians in 2021 at an incredible $435 million.
Who is the highest paying actress? ›12. In theory, there's over £150k prize money up for grabs. There are seven questions, each worth £3,000, but that sum increases to £10,000 if the Wheel lands on the expert “in gold”. If you were to land on an expert on every spin and answer all the questions correctly, you'd bag a total prize pot of £70k.
Is John Bishop A Millionaire? ›...
John Bishop Net Worth.
| Net Worth: | $19 Million |
|---|---|
| Nationality: | England |
What's His Salary On 'The Daily Show'? After Jon Stewart passed the mantle to Noah as the new host, the comedian started off with a salary of between $5-8 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Is Gervais vegan? ›
Now the legendary actor and comedian has announced he is fully vegan! Gervais appeared on Jimmy Fallon's iconic Tonight Show where he revealed his plant-based lifestyle. For years the comedian has become renowned for his animal rights advocacy.
How much is Adam Sandler worth? ›Netflix paid $20 million for the #Humanity special and $24 million for #AfterLife. They have already ordered Ricky's next special #Supernature and #AfterLife series 2 for the same amount.
Who gets royalties for The Office? ›NBC isn't just paying the transfer cost, it will also shell out a percentage in royalty fees to profit participants of the series, Pachter said. Writers, actors, producers and creators will get a share of the $500 million, as is the case with any show that enters syndication on cable television.
How much did Martin Freeman make in the Hobbit? ›Martin Freeman – US$20 million
According to the UK's Metro newspaper, Freeman almost lost out on the role of Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit due to his filming commitments with Sherlock. Fortunately, director Jackson rearranged the film shoot to accommodate him doing both projects.
By season 4, though, Krasinski received a raise fro $100,000 per episode, which would've netted him around $2.8 million per season toward the show's end. His net worth is $30 million, per Celebrity Net Worth.
How much was Kevin Hart paid for Jumanji 2? ›He told Corden that at the end of the day, he took home a figure between $25 million to $30 million from the Jumanji sequel.
Is Dwayne Johnson Rich? ›As of October 2022, Dwayne Johnson's net worth is estimated to be $800 Million. He is an American actor, producer, and professional wrestler. He is known to most people by his amazing stage name, “The Rock”. Dwayne struggled early on in life but was recently named one of the highest-paid actors in the world by Forbes.
What is the net worth of Justin Bieber? ›Justin Bieber's net worth is estimated to be around $285 million as of June 2022. Justin Bieber is a singer and songwriter from Canada who rose to fame at a young age.
Who is the richest comedian? ›1. Jerry Seinfeld – US$950 million.
How much is Oprah Winfrey worth? ›
How much is Ice Cube? ›| Net Worth: | $160 Million |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth: | Jun 15, 1969 (53 years old) |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 5 ft 7 in (1.727 m) |
| Profession: | Rapper, Record producer, Actor, Screenwriter, Film Producer, Television producer, Songwriter, Film Score Composer, Film director, Voice Actor |
Depp is one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood, with his salary topping more than $100 million per year during the peak of his Hollywood career. In 2022, Depp won the defamation case between him and his ex, Amber Heard.
How much is Denzel Washington worth 2022? ›Introduction. As of October 2022, Denzel Washington's net worth is approximately $280 Million. What is this? Denzel Washington is an American actor, mostly recognized worldwide for his award-winning portrayals of characters in the film industry.
How much is Kanye West net worth? › Who is the highest paid comedian in England? ›Currently considered as the richest British comedian, Ricky Gervais earned the majority of his net worth after creating the successful TV series 'The Office'.
Who is the richest comedian in the world 2022? ›Jerry Seinfeld ($950 million)
Seinfeld specializes in observational comedy and he's regarded as one of the greatest stand-up comedians of all time. As of July 2022, Jerry has an estimated net worth of $950 million, making him the richest comedian in the world.
- 1 Ricky Gervais95%
- 2 David Walliams94%
- 3 Jimmy Carr94%
- 4 Michael McIntyre93%
- 5 Alan Carr93%
- 6 Matt Lucas93%
- 7 Peter Kay93%
- 8 Harry Hill92%
| Rank | Actor | Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Clooney | $239 million |
| 2 | Dwayne Johnson | $124 million |
| 3 | Robert Downey Jr. | $81 million |
| 4 | Chris Hemsworth | $64.5 million |
Michael McIntyre estimated net worth is approximately £59 million. McIntyre is an English television presenter, stand-up comedian, and writer. His social satire and observational comedy stand-up shows have made him the highest-grossing live comedian in the world.
How much does Ricky Gervais earn? ›
As of October 2022, Ricky Gervais' net worth is around $140 Million. What is this? Ricky Gervais is an English stand-up comedian and actor.
What is adam sandler net worth? ›The Rock, Dwayne Johnson, is the richer out of the two with an estimated net worth of $800 million compared to Kevin's $450 million net worth valuation.
How much is Oprah Winfrey worth? › How much is Kevin Hart? ›Introduction. As of October 2022, Kevin Hart's net worth is estimated to be roughly $450 Million. What is this? Kevin Darnell Hart is an American comedian and actor from Philadelphia.
What's the Scottish comedian called? ›...
| Kevin Bridges | |
|---|---|
| Medium | Stand-up, television, radio |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Genres | Observational comedy |
| Subject(s) | Everyday life, family, human interaction, current events |
The show featured two teams of three, composed of regular panellists and various guest performers. Hugh Dennis appeared in every series, while other regulars included Frankie Boyle, Rory Bremner, Andy Parsons, Russell Howard, Chris Addison and Angela Barnes, who all featured for the entirity of at least one series.
What is the name of the Scottish comedian? ›1) Billy Connolly
WHAT makes Billy Connolly not only the greatest comedian in the UK, but the world? We've long attached superlatives to his name, long tried to wonder what makes the Glaswegian so funny.
| Characteristic | Income in million U.S. dollars |
|---|---|
| Peter Jackson | 580 |
| Bruce Springsteen | 435 |
| Jay-Z | 340 |
| Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson | 270 |
This may come as a bit of a surprise, but Bruce Springsteen made it to the top of Forbes' list of highest-earning musicians in 2021 at an incredible $435 million.
Who is the highest paid actress of all time? ›
Bottom Line: Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson isn't just the world's highest-grossing female movie star. She's also the world's highest-paid actress.