World's TOP 10

Did you think Tom Cruise was the highest paid celebrity with a $75 million paycheck? Not quite so! Turns out you were wrong. It’s actually the people working behind the scenes who are earning big time money in the entertainment world.

To determine this year’s ranking, we have considered upfront pay, profit participation, residuals, endorsements and advertising work.

Simon Cowell is a television producer, entrepreneur and television personality. He is well known in the United States and the United Kingdom as a judge renowned for his straightforward and contentious opinions.

Most recently he has been featured in Britian’s Got Talent and The X factor USA. Although X factor wasn’t as successful as the American Idol, the show in UK featured the band “One Direction” for Cowell’s label, Syco.

George Lucas has been well known as an American producer, screenwriter, director and entrepreneur. He is the American film industry’s most acknowledged filmmakers. He founded the Lucas films Limited and worked as chairman there. Later, he sold it to the Walt Disney Company.

He is the man behind the star opera franchise “Star Wars.” He invests money received from the franchise into his company Industrial Light and Magic, which is responsible for special effects for movies such as “The Avengers.”

James is a renowned American author. In 2011 alone, he wrote 14 books. He is famous for his work about fictional psychologist Alex Cross. His work includes novels such as Michael Bennett, Women’s Murder Club, Maximum Ride, Daniel X, Witch and Wizard Series and others. He has written many thrillers, non-fiction and romance novels.

Acclaimed as a radio hero, television host, author, actor and photographer, this man needs no formal introduction. He is sometimes referred to ‘shock jock’ for his outspokenness and contentious style. After signing with Sirius a deal worth $500 million in 2004, Howard became the highest paid figures in radio. Recently in 2012, he became a judge on the television show America’s got Talent.

Specializing as a songwriter in the gospel genre, Tyler is a director, actor, screenwriter, playwright, producer and author. During the 1990’s and 2000, Tyler has written and produced many stage plays.

Perry’s success has not mainly been due to his high earning films such as “Good Deeds” but of his TV broadcasts, which include “House of Payne,” “Meet the Browns” and “For Better or for Worse.”

His most successful film was in 2009, “Madea goes to Jail” which has earned over $90 million at the box office.

Beats, the well-known headphones brand has been this star’s most successful business venture. He is a renowned rapper/music producer and is also the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment. In 2011, Forbes ranked him as the third richest celebrity in the American hip hop world.

Dr. Dre has also participated in acting roles in movies such as “Set if off,” “The Wash” and “Training Day.”

He is a film and television producer and has achieved great fame in action, drama and science fiction. Amongst his most acknowledged are CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, Without a Trace, Cold Case and The Amazing Race.

He has produced some of the world’s best films such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop, Bad Boys, Armageddon and many more. Pirates of the Caribbean: on stranger tides was one of his highest grossing films of 2011,bringing in $1 billion at the world wide box office.

This man needs no introduction. He is a star and well-known as a film director, screenwriter, producer and studio entrepreneur. His films have covered various genres and themes. Spielberg earned two Oscar nominations for “The Adventures of Tintin” and “War Horse.” His DreamWorks company produced both ‘Smash’ and ‘Terra Nova’ (television series)

Ranking number two on our list, this man has crossed Spielberg. He is an American film director and producer. He is well-known for directing special effects movies having high budgets such as Armageddon, Pearl Harbor and the Transformers which have grossed over 3 billion dollars worldwide.

Despite his unmatched success at the international box office, movie critics have often criticized Bay’s work to a large extent.

Here is the number one highest paid celebrity of 2013 you’ve been waiting for. Oprah Winfrey. She is known well as a talk show host, actress, media proprietor, producer and philanthropist. She is best known for her multiple award winning show, “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” According to some evaluations she is one of the most influential women.

Her earnings dropped by $125 Million after her show, “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” ended in May 2011 but she still maintains her number 1 spot.