Hugh Laurie & Ashton Kutcher Highest Paid TV Actors

Hugh Laurie and Ashton Kutcher are the highest paid actors on TV in America, according to a new magazine study.
 
Both stars will earn $700,000 (£438,000)-per-episode for Two and a Half Men and House, respectively, when the two high-rated shows return to TV next month (Sep11), but Kutcher also reportedly has a deal in place, where he'll profit further if his sitcom is a hit.
 
Kutcher is replacing fired Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men.
 
However, both actors' 2011/2012 TV salaries won't match Simon Cowell's package when he kicks off his new X Factor show - the study, carried out by TV Guide magazine, suggests he's on a whopping $75 million (£47 million)-per-year.
 
And the music mogul's replacement on American Idol, Jennifer Lopez, has signed a new deal to return to the talent show reportedly worth $20 million (£12.5 million) for the second season.
 
Also among the big U.S. TV earners: chat show hosts David Letterman and Jay Leno bring in $28 million (£17.5 million) and $25 million (£15.6 million) annually, NCIS star Mark Harmon ($500,000/£312,500-per-episode), and Kutcher's Two and a Half Men sidekick Jon Cryer ($600,000/£375,000-per-show).