Forbes' Top-Earning Dead Celebs

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed)
Oct 25th 2006 at 8:01PM

While some celebrities max out their earning potential young and drift off into relative obscurity, others keep earning long after their deaths -- or at least, their estates keep earning by using their name, likeness or works. All totaled, the 13 earners on Forbes' list of the Top-Earning Dead Celebrities made nearly $250 million in the past 12 months. Some of the celebs on the list are icons, like Elvis, and their earning power continues at a steady place. Others, like musicians and actors, depend on how their estates have been managing things. A freshly printed "greatest hits" album could get them back on top, while in an off year they might not even come close to the $7 million or so needed to be considered a top earner. This year's list includes:

1. Kurt Cobain -- $50M
2. Elvis Presley -- $42M
3. Charles M. Schulz -- $35M
4. John Lennon -- $24M
5. Albert Einstein -- $20M
6. Andy Warhol -- $19M
7. Dr. Seuss -- $10M
8. Ray Charles -- $10M
9. Marilyn Monroe -- $8M
10. Johnny Cash -- $8M
11. J.R.R Tolkien -- $7M
12. George Harrison -- $7M
13. Bob Marley -- $7M

Tags: celebrities, earning, forbes, list, money

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Hecor Oct 30th 2006 8:53PM

Elvis will always be the King no matter what, Long Live the King!

Tsand Oct 30th 2006 8:51PM

Elvis is The King !Will always be the King

Kurt Cobain was a dope head !who cares about him.
Not Me !

shelia Oct 30th 2006 8:52PM

I cant believe the dead making millions & people all over the world starving & very poor .WHat a sick world we live in.Let them rest in peach & leave them alone................Gee

BRETT Oct 30th 2006 9:36PM

LIKE ELVIS WAS NOT A DOPE HEAD? OR DO YOU JUST NOT READ HISTORY?

shelia Oct 30th 2006 8:59PM

They were both dope heads,& they still making millions....

Rakim Oct 30th 2006 9:01PM

This is bull, I refuse to believe that Tupac Shakur didn't make the top 13. C'mon. It's because he was a "rapper". By the way, who is Andy Warhol anyways?

BOB ZILK Oct 30th 2006 9:05PM

ELVIS WAS CONSIDERED THE KING BECAUSE HE WAS ONE OF GOD'S SPECIAL PEOPLE. BORN JAN 8 IN THE MIDDLE OF CAPRICORN. JESUS WAS CAPRICORN ON THE CUSP OF SAGATIROUS. MY GUESS IS, THE NEXT KING WILL BE AQUARIUS
BORN ON THE CUSP OF CAPRICORN AND THE NEXT ONE WILL BE BORN AROUND THE MIDDLE OF FEBRUARY. MABEY IT WAS JOHNNY
CASH (FEB 14)

brett Oct 30th 2006 9:09PM

I suppose if you were really interested "who is Andy Warhol" you would goggle him!

Kerry Oct 30th 2006 9:10PM

Elvis was a rip-off artist. He stole all of his songs from Blues artists and gave them virtually no credit. He was a fraud and a hack.
Kurt Cobain was at least original and brought a healthy dose of satire and reality to his lyrics and the music industry.

PS) To the guy who doesn;t know who Andy Worhol is...he was a very famous artist.

Lisa Oct 30th 2006 9:14PM

Of course they all make good money, but just imagine what the king would be worth if he we're alive today. All of the dead would probly be worth lots more alive, and anyway who cares what they did. They entertained us or they wouldn't be the top money makers. If we did'nt like them where would they be...NOWHERE. So be thankful for who you are not the bad in people. That's what's wrong with the world today. Everybody judging each other. Let's all just be happy and not point fingers.

Pat Oct 30th 2006 9:22PM

Elvis had the voice of an angel. He will regain the No. 1 position next year. He only lost because Kirk's widow sold his image!!!! Elvis was just an ordinary man with an extraordinary talent. He will be dead 30 years in 2007.

BOB ZILK Oct 30th 2006 9:16PM

DOPE HEADS! IF YOU FELT THE WAY ABOUT HELPING HUMANITY
THE WAY ELVIS TRIED TO, YOU'D GIVE UP AND TURN TO DOPE YOURSELF.

Peggy Oct 30th 2006 9:17PM

I'd like to see a list of the top deceased sports figures. Elvis is and always will be the King of celebrities. zpeggy

Gene Oct 30th 2006 9:21PM

Elvis will be No. 1 next year!!! He lost this year because Mr. Kirk's widow sold his image!!! He has sold more than 2 billion (that's b)records!!! In a lifetime, some things happen only once and Elvis was one of them. He will be dead 30 yrs. next year and yet he still lives in our hearts!!!

Eddie Oct 30th 2006 9:23PM

Actually none of them is making a dime. How the hell would they get to spend it ???

Fred Leonard Oct 30th 2006 9:47PM

I went to Graceland in Memphis a few years ago, where Elvis lived and died and it is still a warm feeling that a person gets when they tour it all. I felt the presence of a great love there, I know his life wasn't perfect, but I believe he was a good Godly man at heart and I am hoping he will be in Heaven with his family. The burial area in his back yard by his swimming pool was sad on one hand, but somewhat joyous on the other because he was buried with his Mom, Dad and brother. He made it big and I am glad he did. Elvis influenced me very much as a songwriter, singer, and guitarist which you can hear at "no charge" if you go to my websites you can hear my music, a 15 song CD titled, "In MY Own Words" by Fred Leonard www.CD BABY.COM/FREDLEONARD Long Live ELVIS....God Love HIM!

candy Oct 30th 2006 9:47PM

Elvis might have had a drug problem, but at least he was ashamed of it...he tried in his own way to shield the public from his problem,,,,no matter what your opinion of his problem,,,he had one of the greatest GOD given voices on earth. He wasn't proud of his problems,,,,,he didn't advocate the use or sale of drugs, nor did he ever disclaim his christianity.
He never forgot his roots no matter how HUMAN he was.
Judge not, lest ye be judged by the SAME judgment.

Mel Oct 30th 2006 9:47PM

Elvis was and has continued to be my hero from the time I was a young boy in the early 60's. Even though he had his setbacks in life, he taught me what singing music from the heart was all about, no matter who wrote the song.

Shotgun Oct 30th 2006 9:50PM

Without Elvis Presley....there would be no Kurt Cobain

carrie hector Oct 30th 2006 9:59PM

I cant get over how negetive people are about elvis. i as a human i collect elvis items.I allso think if people who have neg stuff to say keep it to your self leave the presleys family alone. they are humans like u and i people who have money worked very hard to earn it .

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