Kurt Cobain: Dead rich

25-10-2006 11:30

Kurt Cobain has overtaken Elvis as the highest-paid dead celebrity.Latest figures - compiled by Forbes.com - show the late 'Nirvana' frontman has made $50 million in the past year despite having killed himself in April 1994.By comparison, second placed Elvis - who has held the top spot since 2001 and has been dead for almost 30 years - made just $42 million dollars in the past twelve months.

Other big earners who have long since passed include 'Peanuts' cartoon creator Charles Schulz - whose Charlie Brown and Snoopy cartoons are still syndicated in newspapers across the world - whose estate earned $35 million, and 'Imagine' singer John Lennon who raked in $24 million.The 'Baby Einstein' brand of pre-school toys and DVD's helped late genius Albert Einstein earn $20 million last year, while cultural icons Andy Warhol and Marilyn Monroe also made the list.Movies have played a big part in keeping the cash pouring in for the three more people who made the top thirteen - Ray Charles, whose life inspired the Oscar-winning film 'Ray'; 'Walk The Line' subject and country music legend Johnny Cash and J.R.R. Tolkein, the creator of the 'Lord of the Rings' epic.

Top Earning Dead Celebrities

1. Kurt Cobain - Musician

2. Elvis Presley - Singer

3. Charles M. Schulz - Peanuts creator

4. John Lennon - Musician

5. Albert Einstein - Physicist

6. Andy Warhol - Clutural Icon

7. Dr. Seuss creator Theodor Geisel

8. Ray Charles - Musician

9. Marilyn Monroe - Actress

10. Johnny Cash - Musician

11. J.R.R. Tolkien - Author