Matthew Perry has joined the ranks of pop culture icons like Michael Jackson, Freddie Mercury, and Whitney Houston as one of the highest-earning dead celebrities. According to Forbes, Perry, well known for his role on Friends, is estimated to bring in $18 million annually in royalties from the popular sitcom. This makes him a rare television actor to make the list of highest-paid deceased celebrities.
Other music legends continue to top the charts of highest-earning dead celebrities as well. Michael Jackson’s estate, which has earned over $3.3 billion since his death in 2009, continues to rake in profits from his music catalog, Broadway musical, and touring productions. Freddie Mercury of Queen has also returned to the list with an estimated $250 million in earnings following the group’s $1 billion catalog sale to Sony. Estate deals also play a significant role in the earnings of deceased celebrities, with Ric Ocasek of The Cars earning $45 million after a stake in his publishing, name, likeness, and image rights was acquired by Primary Wave.
Additionally, other legends like Elvis Presley, Dr. Seuss, and Bob Marley continue to earn significant revenues from their catalogs, brand collaborations, and licensing opportunities. The annual Forbes list of highest-earning dead celebrities showcases the enduring legacy and continued financial success of these iconic figures in pop culture.
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