You probably don’t expect to make a fortune the size of Dr. Phil’s after getting your psychology degree. Phil McGraw was launched into national success after appearing on “Oprah” one day. Soon, “The Dr. Phil Show” premiered and Dr. Phil’s career reached new heights. The show began in 2002 and continued to air until mid-2023.
Though Dr. Phil has faced criticism for his opinions over the last few years, his net worth continues to grow and his popularity remains steady. To give you an idea of just how much Phil McGraw makes from his daytime television show, in 2017 Dr. Phil made a salary of $79 million. We doubt he cares about any criticism with a paycheck like that. Just as he gained fame from appearing on “Oprah,” Dr. Phil’s television show has helped others reach stardom, such as the rapping career of Danielle Bregoli, the “Cash Me Outside” girl.
Richard Gere — $130 Million
Though his career has certainly slowed down in the last few years, Richard Gere was celebrity royalty in the 1990s. His celebrity status reached new heights after the film "American Gigolo," where he became one of America’s most swoon-worthy Hollywood hunks. After that, his salary for films such as "The Cotton Club" and "Runaway Bride" climbed from $2 million to $13 million. Being named People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive in 1999 certainly paid off, surely contributing to that skyrocket in salary.
However, it wasn’t just Gere’s good looks that gained him his fortune. It was his ability to star in one of the most lucrative genres there is in Hollywood — romantic comedies. In the 1990s, Gere was the leading man every director wanted to book for their rom-com, and Gere’s roles in cult classics such as "Runaway Bride," "Pretty Woman," and "Dr. T & The Woman," certainly helped him gain the fame and fortune he enjoys today.
Dolly Parton — $650 Million
Well, she didn’t make that kind of living workin’ a nine-to-five job! Dolly Parton, a legendary country icon, has had an impressive and long-lasting career, and she’s got the net worth to back it up. Emerging onto the country music radar in 1967 with her first album, "Hello, I’m Dolly," Parton has been writing hits ever since. Known for her signature blonde gingham look, Parton not only has the skills to create numerous chart-toppers, but she's also a skilled businesswoman and has been running multiple successful ventures over the years.
Not only the beauty but also the brains behind many of her successful songs, Dolly Parton is a singer and songwriter. You might not know, but Dolly actually wrote Whitney Houston’s legendary, “I Will Always Love You.” Parton also owns her own record label, Dolly Records. She didn’t just make all of her money in the early years of her career, either. She’s still rolling in massive amounts of money — she made $19 million in 2016 alone!
Steve Harvey — $200 Million
Coming from difficult beginnings, Steve Harvey faced adversity early in his career as a comedian and was actually homeless for many years in West Virginia, where he was born and raised. But fortune finally shone on Harvey when he was hired as a host on "It’s Showtime at the Apollo." The big break he needed to launch his career, Harvey went on to host numerous well-known television programs such as "The Steve Harvey Show" and "Family Feud."
Though Harvey accumulated quite a fortune from his hosting abilities, he has been involved in a few controversies over the years, such as the time he messed up the name of the 2015 Miss Universe winner when he accidentally announced the runner-up as the winner. He owned up to his mistake, and though the contestants were shaken up, everything turned out just fine and Harvey’s massive net worth remained intact.
Bob Barker — $70 Million
Well, that price is certainly right for Bob Barker. Famous for hosting the most popular game show on daytime television, Barker was able to retire with $70 million after his 50-year television-hosting career. Known for his casual conversation style and his ability to always be on the contestant’s side when hosting TV game shows, Barker was a well-loved celebrity personality and admitted that he missed being a host after he retired.
Starting with his own radio show, "The Bob Barker Show," in 1950, Barker eventually went on to host "The Price Is Right" in 1972. Barker also acted as a host on various game shows including "The Family Game," "Simon Says," and "That’s My Line." Extremely talented at his craft, Barker has the accolades to go along with his career, including 19 Emmy Awards and his very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.