“Friends” was not only popular during its time on the air. Thanks to streaming services, it is now considered a classic TV show that continues to entertain the next generation, and the one after that. In fact, many people consider it to be the greatest TV show of all time.
By the final season, each of the six “friends”—Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe—earned $1 million per episode. While some of the friends, like Jennifer Aniston, went on to have impressive careers, others were happy to relax and enjoy the benefits of their large salaries after the show’s final episode.
Charlie Sheen – $1.8 million
Before he was fired, Charlie Sheen was in quite a sweet position on Two and a Half Men. He made history by signing a deal that earned him $1.8 million per episode for his role. At the time, he was officially the highest-paid actor in the world. Unfortunately, his public meltdown also had an effect on his job.
The producers felt it was necessary to part ways with him as he entered rehab, ending his massive paycheck for good. While he still has quite a bit of money to his name, Sheen’s reputation will likely never be the same.
Adam Levine – $500,000
There’s definitely money to be made in musical competition shows. While Adam Levine is best known as the lead singer of Maroon 5, he has expanded his career into various other avenues over the last decade. He 2012, he tried his hand at acting in "American Horror Story’s" second season.
After his acting debut, Levine decided to simply be himself. He joined "The Voice" as a coach, making $13 million per season. Although his team won the first season he participated in, Levine recently made his exit from the show. But when you're making that sweet Maroon 5 music, it doesn't really matter where you go - money's coming in.
Katy Perry – $1,389,000
Much like Adam Levine, Katy Perry also made the big bucks when she decided to be a judge on "American Idol." But while Adam Levine only made a measly half a million per episode, Katy Perry made nearly $1.4 million. Now that sounds unfair, if you ask us.
Per season, Pery makes $25 million. In comparison, Lionel Ritchie, a fellow judge, only makes $10 million. Perry certainly makes sense as a judge, but viewers have questioned if she’s really worth the ridiculously high salary. At the end of the day, if the studios are happy to meet her demands, then who's complaining? Go Katy, go!
Patricia Heaton – $250,000
The wickedly talented Patricia Heaton stars in "The Middle," a beloved sitcom about a middle-class family just trying to survive. The show ran for nine seasons, ending in 2018, and Heaton played the leading lady, Frankie Heck.
As the heart of the series, Heaton earned $250,000 per episode. Before starring in "The Middle," Heaton also earned awards and praise for her role as Debra Barone in "Everybody Loves Raymond." So it makes sense that she was able to command such a huge salary for "The Middle" as she had already become a proven sitcom star by then. Fair game, we say.