The Puns That Pay: Highest-Earning U.S. Comedians of 2017

Being funny can pay off. According to Forbes magazine, Jerry Seinfeld is top of the list of best-earning U.S. comedians. Between June 2016 and June 2017 he netted $69 million. Netflix has become one of those earnings boosters, leaving a big foot print in the stand-up comedy market by offering well-paid special contracts, disrupting the game for traditional comedy distributors such as HBO and Comedy Central. Seinfeld, Chris Rock and Dave Chapel were able to sign specials worth more than $20 million a contract. There is only one woman in the top 10: Amy Schumer in place 5, earning $37.5 million.