Kiefer Sutherland's Pay Bonanza

10 August 2009

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Kiefer Sutherland is America's highest paid TV actor.

The '24' actor reportedly earns £330,000 an episode for the anti-terrorist thriller, in which he plays lead character, action man Jack Bauer - meaning he makes around £7.8 million a series.

Second on the list is 'House' star Hugh Laurie, who commands £242,000 for each episode of the US medical drama.

It's not an inexpensive show on the network books, and we also want to finish strong

Behind them, 'Desperate Housewives' stars Eva Longoria Parker, Marcia Cross, Felicity Huffman and Teri Hatcher each earn £240,000 for each episode of their show.

However, according to America's TV Guide magazine, the overall highest earner in television is Charlie Sheen - the star and co-producer of hit show 'Two and a Half Men' - who makes £520,000 a show.

Meanwhile, despite its success over eight series, a senior boss at FOX - the US network which commissions '24' - has dropped hints it could soon end, due in part to the cost of producing the programme.

Kevin Reilly, president of entertainment at FOX Broadcasting said recently: "We haven't made any decision whether it's back or not.

"It's going to come down to a business decision. It's not an inexpensive show on the network books, and we also want to finish strong. This is not a show we want to prop up. It will be something we'll have to deal with over the next few months."

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