Forbes Top 40

{{short description|Annual ranking of 40 highest-paid entertainers}}

The Forbes Top 40{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/forbes/1997/0922/6006162a.html?sh=477b2a94d95f |title=The Forbes TOP 40|magazine=Forbes|date=September 22, 1997 |accessdate=August 3, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/forbes/1998/0921/6206208a.html?sh=78ba95a4672e |title=Hollywood's idea moguls |magazine=Forbes|date=September 21, 1998|accessdate=August 3, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/legacy/forbes/1997/0922/6006162tab1_table.shtml|title=The Forbes Top 40|magazine=Forbes|accessdate=August 3, 2022}} was an annual list of 40 highest-paid entertainers compiled and published by Forbes magazine from 1987{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1991-12-02-9112010352-story.html|title=Michael Jackson vs Madonna|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=December 2, 1991|accessdate=March 11, 2023|first=Suzan|last=Bibisi|archive-date=September 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903235439/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1991-12-02-9112010352-story.html|url-access=subscription}} until 1998. The following year, 1999, it was created the Forbes Celebrity 100. The list was published every September, compiled by using the income of performers over two years to overcome the year-to-year of a performer's income.

Forbes representatives said that those individual are "more than entertainers, they are businesses", declaring: "Not only do they create wealth for the entertainment industry and their business sponsors, they create wealth for the nation in exportable merchandize in the form of TV programming, motion pictures, and videocassette and music recordings".

''Forbes'' Top 40 lists

Below is the top 10 for each year since the list's inception.

= 1980s =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" \|+ 1987{{cite web\|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/09/06/Bill-Cosby-tops-list-of-highest-paid-entertainers/1586557899200/\|title=Bill Cosby tops list of highest paid entertainers\|publisher=United Press International (UPI)\|access-date=July 27, 2022\|date=September 6, 1987\|first=Frederick M.\|last=Winship}}
scope="col" \| No. ! scope="col" \| Recipient ! scope="col" \| Career
scope="row" \| 1 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Bill Cosby \| Television personality
scope="row" \| 2 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Sylvester Stallone \| Actor
scope="row" \| 3 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Bruce Springsteen \| Musician
scope="row" \| 4 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Charles Schulz \| Cartoonist
scope="row" \| 5 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Eddie Murphy \| Actor
scope="row" \| 6 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Steven Spielberg \| Filmmaker
scope="row" \| 7 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Madonna \| Musician
scope="row" \| 8 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Whitney Houston \| Musician
scope="row" \| 9 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Michael Jackson \| Musician
scope="row" \| 10 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Johnny Carson \| Television personality

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ 1987{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/09/06/Bill-Cosby-tops-list-of-highest-paid-entertainers/1586557899200/|title=Bill Cosby tops list of highest paid entertainers|publisher=United Press International (UPI)|access-date=July 27, 2022|date=September 6, 1987|first=Frederick M.|last=Winship}}

scope="col" | No.

! scope="col" | Recipient

! scope="col" | Career

scope="row" | 1

| {{flagicon|USA}} Bill Cosby

| Television personality

scope="row" | 2

| {{flagicon|USA}} Sylvester Stallone

| Actor

scope="row" | 3

| {{flagicon|USA}} Bruce Springsteen

| Musician

scope="row" | 4

| {{flagicon|USA}} Charles Schulz

| Cartoonist

scope="row" | 5

| {{flagicon|USA}} Eddie Murphy

| Actor

scope="row" | 6

| {{flagicon|USA}} Steven Spielberg

| Filmmaker

scope="row" | 7

| {{flagicon|USA}} Madonna

| Musician

scope="row" | 8

| {{flagicon|USA}} Whitney Houston

| Musician

scope="row" | 9

| {{flagicon|USA}} Michael Jackson

| Musician

scope="row" | 10

| {{flagicon|USA}} Johnny Carson

| Television personality

{{multiple image

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| image1 = Steven Spielberg 1999 (cropped).jpg

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| image2 = Oprah Winfrey 1997.jpg

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| footer =Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey, perennial individuals in the Top 10, have the most appearances with 12 and 10 respectively. Spielberg topped the list three times and Winfrey two (the first ever woman to do so in Forbes).

}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" \|+ 1988{{cite web\|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/09/18/Michael-Jackson-tops-list-of-best-paid-entertainers/2912590558400/\|title=Michael Jackson tops list of best-paid entertainers\|publisher=United Press International (UPI)\|access-date=July 27, 2022\|date=September 18, 1988}}
scope="col" \| No. ! scope="col" \| Recipient ! scope="col" \| Career
scope="row" \| 1 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Michael Jackson \| Musician
scope="row" \| 2 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Bill Cosby \| Television personality
scope="row" \| 3 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Steven Spielberg \| Filmmaker
scope="row" \| 4 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Sylvester Stallone \| Actor
scope="row" \| 5 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Eddie Murphy \| Actor
scope="row" \| 6 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Charles Schulz \| Cartoonist
scope="row" \| 7 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Bruce Springsteen \| Musician
scope="row" \| 8 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Mike Tyson \| Sportsperson (Boxing)
scope="row" \| 9 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Madonna \| Musician
scope="row" \| 10 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Arnold Schwarzenegger \| Actor

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ 1988{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/09/18/Michael-Jackson-tops-list-of-best-paid-entertainers/2912590558400/|title=Michael Jackson tops list of best-paid entertainers|publisher=United Press International (UPI)|access-date=July 27, 2022|date=September 18, 1988}}

scope="col" | No.

! scope="col" | Recipient

! scope="col" | Career

scope="row" | 1

| {{flagicon|USA}} Michael Jackson

| Musician

scope="row" | 2

| {{flagicon|USA}} Bill Cosby

| Television personality

scope="row" | 3

| {{flagicon|USA}} Steven Spielberg

| Filmmaker

scope="row" | 4

| {{flagicon|USA}} Sylvester Stallone

| Actor

scope="row" | 5

| {{flagicon|USA}} Eddie Murphy

| Actor

scope="row" | 6

| {{flagicon|USA}} Charles Schulz

| Cartoonist

scope="row" | 7

| {{flagicon|USA}} Bruce Springsteen

| Musician

scope="row" | 8

| {{flagicon|USA}} Mike Tyson

| Sportsperson (Boxing)

scope="row" | 9

| {{flagicon|USA}} Madonna

| Musician

scope="row" | 10

| {{flagicon|USA}} Arnold Schwarzenegger

| Actor

{{multiple image

| align = right

| direction = vertical

| image1 = Michael Jackson in 1988.jpg

| width1 = 200

| alt1 =

| caption1 =

| image2 = ExpressYourselfUnderGround cropped.jpg

| width2 = 200

| alt2 =

| caption2 =

| footer =Michael Jackson and Madonna, were the perennial solo music performers of the Top 10, with 8 and 5 appearances respectively.

}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" \|+ 1989{{cite web\|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/09/16/Michael-Jackson-tops-Forbess-richest-stars-list-again/9488621921600/\|title=Michael Jackson tops Forbes's 'richest stars' list again\|publisher=United Press International (UPI)\|access-date=July 27, 2022\|date=September 16, 1989}}
scope="col" \| No. ! scope="col" \| Recipient ! scope="col" \| Career
scope="row" \| 1 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Michael Jackson \| Musician
scope="row" \| 2 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Steven Spielberg \| Filmmaker
scope="row" \| 3 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Bill Cosby \| Television personality
scope="row" \| 4 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Mike Tyson \| Sportsperson (Boxer)
scope="row" \| 5 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Charles Schulz \| Cartoonist
scope="row" \| 6 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Eddie Murphy \| Actor
scope="row" \| 7 \| {{flagicon\|UK}} Pink Floyd \| Musicians
scope="row" \| 8 \| {{flagicon\|UK}} The Rolling Stones \| Musicians
scope="row" \| 9 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Oprah Winfrey \| Television personality
scope="row" \| 10 \| {{flagicon\|UK}} George Michael \| Musician

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ 1989{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/09/16/Michael-Jackson-tops-Forbess-richest-stars-list-again/9488621921600/|title=Michael Jackson tops Forbes's 'richest stars' list again|publisher=United Press International (UPI)|access-date=July 27, 2022|date=September 16, 1989}}

scope="col" | No.

! scope="col" | Recipient

! scope="col" | Career

scope="row" | 1

| {{flagicon|USA}} Michael Jackson

| Musician

scope="row" | 2

| {{flagicon|USA}} Steven Spielberg

| Filmmaker

scope="row" | 3

| {{flagicon|USA}} Bill Cosby

| Television personality

scope="row" | 4

| {{flagicon|USA}} Mike Tyson

| Sportsperson (Boxer)

scope="row" | 5

| {{flagicon|USA}} Charles Schulz

| Cartoonist

scope="row" | 6

| {{flagicon|USA}} Eddie Murphy

| Actor

scope="row" | 7

| {{flagicon|UK}} Pink Floyd

| Musicians

scope="row" | 8

| {{flagicon|UK}} The Rolling Stones

| Musicians

scope="row" | 9

| {{flagicon|USA}} Oprah Winfrey

| Television personality

scope="row" | 10

| {{flagicon|UK}} George Michael

| Musician

{{multiple image

| align = right

| direction = vertical

| image1 = Rolling Stones bow post-show 22 May 2018 in London (41437870275).jpg

| width1 = 200

| alt1 =

| caption1 =

| image2 = Beatles Trenter 1963 (band crop).jpg

| width2 = 200

| alt2 =

| caption2 =

| footer = The Rolling Stones were the music band with most appearances (7), as well the most for non-American entertainers. The Beatles attained the highest ranks for non-Americans.

}}

= 1990s =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" \|+ 1990{{cite news\|url=https://apnews.com/article/0af6c78721263c62df2aa7d6314e5c9d\|title=Forbes Magazine's Highest-Paid Entertainers With PM-Richest Entertainers\|work=Associated Press News\|access-date=July 27, 2022\|date=September 17, 1990}}
scope="col" \| No. ! scope="col" \| Recipient ! scope="col" \| Career
scope="row" \| 1 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Bill Cosby \| Television personality
scope="row" \| 2 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Michael Jackson \| Musician
scope="row" \| 3 \| {{flagicon\|UK}} The Rolling Stones \| Musicians
scope="row" \| 4 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Steven Spielberg \| Filmmaker
scope="row" \| 5 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} New Kids on the Block \| Musicians
scope="row" \| 6 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Oprah Winfrey \| Television personality
scope="row" \| 7 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Sylvester Stallone \| Actor
scope="row" \| 8 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Madonna \| Musician
scope="row" \| 9 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Arnold Schwarzenegger \| Actor
scope="row" \| 10 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Charles Schulz \| Cartoonist

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ 1990{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/0af6c78721263c62df2aa7d6314e5c9d|title=Forbes Magazine's Highest-Paid Entertainers With PM-Richest Entertainers|work=Associated Press News|access-date=July 27, 2022|date=September 17, 1990}}

scope="col" | No.

! scope="col" | Recipient

! scope="col" | Career

scope="row" | 1

| {{flagicon|USA}} Bill Cosby

| Television personality

scope="row" | 2

| {{flagicon|USA}} Michael Jackson

| Musician

scope="row" | 3

| {{flagicon|UK}} The Rolling Stones

| Musicians

scope="row" | 4

| {{flagicon|USA}} Steven Spielberg

| Filmmaker

scope="row" | 5

| {{flagicon|USA}} New Kids on the Block

| Musicians

scope="row" | 6

| {{flagicon|USA}} Oprah Winfrey

| Television personality

scope="row" | 7

| {{flagicon|USA}} Sylvester Stallone

| Actor

scope="row" | 8

| {{flagicon|USA}} Madonna

| Musician

scope="row" | 9

| {{flagicon|USA}} Arnold Schwarzenegger

| Actor

scope="row" | 10

| {{flagicon|USA}} Charles Schulz

| Cartoonist

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" \|+ 1991{{cite news\|url=https://apnews.com/article/109d1067f9ecd0a2881075f0add68d9a\|title=Forbes Magazine's Highest-Paid Entertainers With AM-Richest Entertainers\|work=Associated Press News\|access-date=July 27, 2022\|date=September 15, 1991}}
scope="col" \| No. ! scope="col" \| Recipient ! scope="col" \| Career
scope="row" \| 1 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} New Kids on the Block \| Musician
scope="row" \| 2 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Bill Cosby \| Television personality
scope="row" \| 3 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Oprah Winfrey \| Television personality
scope="row" \| 4 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Madonna \| Musician
scope="row" \| 5 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Michael Jackson \| Musician
scope="row" \| 6 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Kevin Costner \| Actor
scope="row" \| 7 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Johnny Carson \| Television personality
scope="row" \| 8 \| {{flagicon\|UK}} The Rolling Stones \| Musicians
scope="row" \| 9 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Charles Schulz \| Cartoonist
scope="row" \| 10 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Steven Spielberg \| Filmmaker

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ 1991{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/109d1067f9ecd0a2881075f0add68d9a|title=Forbes Magazine's Highest-Paid Entertainers With AM-Richest Entertainers|work=Associated Press News|access-date=July 27, 2022|date=September 15, 1991}}

scope="col" | No.

! scope="col" | Recipient

! scope="col" | Career

scope="row" | 1

| {{flagicon|USA}} New Kids on the Block

| Musician

scope="row" | 2

| {{flagicon|USA}} Bill Cosby

| Television personality

scope="row" | 3

| {{flagicon|USA}} Oprah Winfrey

| Television personality

scope="row" | 4

| {{flagicon|USA}} Madonna

| Musician

scope="row" | 5

| {{flagicon|USA}} Michael Jackson

| Musician

scope="row" | 6

| {{flagicon|USA}} Kevin Costner

| Actor

scope="row" | 7

| {{flagicon|USA}} Johnny Carson

| Television personality

scope="row" | 8

| {{flagicon|UK}} The Rolling Stones

| Musicians

scope="row" | 9

| {{flagicon|USA}} Charles Schulz

| Cartoonist

scope="row" | 10

| {{flagicon|USA}} Steven Spielberg

| Filmmaker

{{multiple image

| align = right

| direction = vertical

| image1 = Bill Cosby 1965.JPG

| width1 = 200

| alt1 =

| caption1 =

| image2 = Charles Schulz crop 1993.jpg

| width2 = 200

| alt2 =

| caption2 =

| image3 = David Copperfield in 1999.jpg

| width3 = 200

| alt3 =

| caption3 =

| footer =Bill Cosby (8), Charles Schulz (7) and David Copperfield (5) composed the rest of perennials Top 10 entertainers.

}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" \|+ 1992{{cite news\|url=https://apnews.com/article/5a149c28e0a2ab21aa28a1e14e6da7e8 \|title=Forbes Magazine's 40 Richest Entertainers With AM-Richest Entertainers \|work=Associated Press News\|date=September 13, 1992\|access-date=August 2, 2022}}
scope="col" \| No. ! scope="col" \| Recipient ! scope="col" \| Career
scope="row" \| 1 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Bill Cosby \| Television personality
scope="row" \| 2 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Oprah Winfrey \| Television personality
scope="row" \| 3 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Kevin Costner \| Actor
scope="row" \| 4 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} New Kids on the Block \| Musicians
scope="row" \| 5 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Steven Spielberg \| Filmmaker
scope="row" \| 6 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Michael Jackson \| Musician
scope="row" \| 7 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Charles Schulz \| Cartoonist
scope="row" \| 8 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Madonna \| Musician
scope="row" \| 9 \| {{flagicon\|SPA}} Julio Iglesias \| Musician
scope="row" \| 10 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Guns N' Roses \| Musicians

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ 1992{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/5a149c28e0a2ab21aa28a1e14e6da7e8 |title=Forbes Magazine's 40 Richest Entertainers With AM-Richest Entertainers |work=Associated Press News|date=September 13, 1992|access-date=August 2, 2022}}

scope="col" | No.

! scope="col" | Recipient

! scope="col" | Career

scope="row" | 1

| {{flagicon|USA}} Bill Cosby

| Television personality

scope="row" | 2

| {{flagicon|USA}} Oprah Winfrey

| Television personality

scope="row" | 3

| {{flagicon|USA}} Kevin Costner

| Actor

scope="row" | 4

| {{flagicon|USA}} New Kids on the Block

| Musicians

scope="row" | 5

| {{flagicon|USA}} Steven Spielberg

| Filmmaker

scope="row" | 6

| {{flagicon|USA}} Michael Jackson

| Musician

scope="row" | 7

| {{flagicon|USA}} Charles Schulz

| Cartoonist

scope="row" | 8

| {{flagicon|USA}} Madonna

| Musician

scope="row" | 9

| {{flagicon|SPA}} Julio Iglesias

| Musician

scope="row" | 10

| {{flagicon|USA}} Guns N' Roses

| Musicians

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" \|+ 1993{{cite web\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WsEDAAAAMBAJ&dq=Madonna+%24+37+million+Forbes&pg=PA13\|title=Oprah Tops Forbes List of Highest Grossing Celebs: CELEBRITIES (List Top 25)\|work=Jet\|access-date=April 18, 2022\|page=13\|date=September 27, 1993\|volume=84\|number=22}}
scope="col" \| No. ! scope="col" \| Recipient ! scope="col" \| Career
scope="row" \| 1 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Oprah Winfrey \| Television personality
scope="row" \| 2 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Steven Spielberg \| Filmmaker
scope="row" \| 3 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Bill Cosby \| Television personality
scope="row" \| 4 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Guns N' Roses \| Musicians
scope="row" \| 5 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Prince \| Musician
scope="row" \| 6 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Charles Schulz \| Cartoonist
scope="row" \| 7 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Kevin Costner \| Actor
scope="row" \| 8 \| {{flagicon\|IRL}} U2 \| Musicians
scope="row" \| 9 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Garth Brooks \| Musician
scope="row" \| 10 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} David Copperfield \| Illusionist

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ 1993{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WsEDAAAAMBAJ&dq=Madonna+%24+37+million+Forbes&pg=PA13|title=Oprah Tops Forbes List of Highest Grossing Celebs: CELEBRITIES (List Top 25)|work=Jet|access-date=April 18, 2022|page=13|date=September 27, 1993|volume=84|number=22}}

scope="col" | No.

! scope="col" | Recipient

! scope="col" | Career

scope="row" | 1

| {{flagicon|USA}} Oprah Winfrey

| Television personality

scope="row" | 2

| {{flagicon|USA}} Steven Spielberg

| Filmmaker

scope="row" | 3

| {{flagicon|USA}} Bill Cosby

| Television personality

scope="row" | 4

| {{flagicon|USA}} Guns N' Roses

| Musicians

scope="row" | 5

| {{flagicon|USA}} Prince

| Musician

scope="row" | 6

| {{flagicon|USA}} Charles Schulz

| Cartoonist

scope="row" | 7

| {{flagicon|USA}} Kevin Costner

| Actor

scope="row" | 8

| {{flagicon|IRL}} U2

| Musicians

scope="row" | 9

| {{flagicon|USA}} Garth Brooks

| Musician

scope="row" | 10

| {{flagicon|USA}} David Copperfield

| Illusionist

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" \|+ 1994{{cite web\|url=https://www.deseret.com/1994/9/12/19130354/spielberg-is-top-paid-entertainer-syrupy-barney-rings-in-at-no-3\|title=Spielberg Is Top-Paid Entertaier; Syrupy Barney Rings in at No. 3\|date=September 12, 1994\|work=Deseret News\|access-date=August 2, 2022}}
scope="col" \| No. ! scope="col" \| Recipient ! scope="col" \| Career
scope="row" \| 1 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Steven Spielberg \| Filmmaker
scope="row" \| 2 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Oprah Winfrey \| Television personality
scope="row" \| 3 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Sheryl Leach \| Television personality
scope="row" \| 4 \| {{flagicon\|UK}} Pink Floyd \| Musicians
scope="row" \| 5 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Bill Cosby \| Television personality
scope="row" \| 6 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Barbra Streisand \| Musician
scope="row" \| 7 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Eagles \| Musicians
scope="row" \| 8 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} David Copperfield \| Illusionist
scope="row" \| 9 \| {{flagicon\|UK}} The Rolling Stones \| Musicians
scope="row" \| 10 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Harrison Ford \| Actor

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ 1994{{cite web|url=https://www.deseret.com/1994/9/12/19130354/spielberg-is-top-paid-entertainer-syrupy-barney-rings-in-at-no-3|title=Spielberg Is Top-Paid Entertaier; Syrupy Barney Rings in at No. 3|date=September 12, 1994|work=Deseret News|access-date=August 2, 2022}}

scope="col" | No.

! scope="col" | Recipient

! scope="col" | Career

scope="row" | 1

| {{flagicon|USA}} Steven Spielberg

| Filmmaker

scope="row" | 2

| {{flagicon|USA}} Oprah Winfrey

| Television personality

scope="row" | 3

| {{flagicon|USA}} Sheryl Leach

| Television personality

scope="row" | 4

| {{flagicon|UK}} Pink Floyd

| Musicians

scope="row" | 5

| {{flagicon|USA}} Bill Cosby

| Television personality

scope="row" | 6

| {{flagicon|USA}} Barbra Streisand

| Musician

scope="row" | 7

| {{flagicon|USA}} Eagles

| Musicians

scope="row" | 8

| {{flagicon|USA}} David Copperfield

| Illusionist

scope="row" | 9

| {{flagicon|UK}} The Rolling Stones

| Musicians

scope="row" | 10

| {{flagicon|USA}} Harrison Ford

| Actor

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" \|+ 1995{{cite web\|url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/sep/11/beatles-in-the-money-again-forbes-says-band/\|title=Beatles In The Money Again, Forbes Says Band Earned Third Most Money, Behind Steven Spielberg, Oprah\|work=The Spokesman-Review\|access-date=July 27, 2022\|date=September 11, 1995}}
scope="col" \| No. ! scope="col" \| Recipient ! scope="col" \| Career
scope="row" \| 1 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Steven Spielberg \| Filmmaker
scope="row" \| 2 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Oprah Winfrey \| Television personality
scope="row" \| 3 \| {{flagicon\|UK}} The Beatles \| Musicians
scope="row" \| 4 \| {{flagicon\|UK}} The Rolling Stones \| Musicians
scope="row" \| 5 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Eagles \| Musicians
scope="row" \| 6 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} David Copperfield \| Illusionist
scope="row" \| 7 \| {{flagicon\|UK}} Pink Floyd \| Musicians
scope="row" \| 8 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Michael Jackson \| Musician
scope="row" \| 9 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Barbra Streisand \| Musician
scope="row" \| 10 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Sylvester Stallone \| Actor

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ 1995{{cite web|url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/sep/11/beatles-in-the-money-again-forbes-says-band/|title=Beatles In The Money Again, Forbes Says Band Earned Third Most Money, Behind Steven Spielberg, Oprah|work=The Spokesman-Review|access-date=July 27, 2022|date=September 11, 1995}}

scope="col" | No.

! scope="col" | Recipient

! scope="col" | Career

scope="row" | 1

| {{flagicon|USA}} Steven Spielberg

| Filmmaker

scope="row" | 2

| {{flagicon|USA}} Oprah Winfrey

| Television personality

scope="row" | 3

| {{flagicon|UK}} The Beatles

| Musicians

scope="row" | 4

| {{flagicon|UK}} The Rolling Stones

| Musicians

scope="row" | 5

| {{flagicon|USA}} Eagles

| Musicians

scope="row" | 6

| {{flagicon|USA}} David Copperfield

| Illusionist

scope="row" | 7

| {{flagicon|UK}} Pink Floyd

| Musicians

scope="row" | 8

| {{flagicon|USA}} Michael Jackson

| Musician

scope="row" | 9

| {{flagicon|USA}} Barbra Streisand

| Musician

scope="row" | 10

| {{flagicon|USA}} Sylvester Stallone

| Actor

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" \|+ 1996{{cite news\|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1996/09/09/yoga-teacher-makes-peace-in-cleveland-park/62b3c7f2-2c00-400c-9123-3c59377d7475/\|title=Yoga Teacher Makes Peace in Cleveland Park\|newspaper=Washington Post\|access-date=August 2, 2022\|date=September 9, 1996\|first1=Ann\|last1=Gerhart\|first2=Annie\|last2=Groer}}{{cite web\|url=https://journaltimes.com/news/top-40-money-makers-for-95-96/article_85213eb0-e922-548b-8074-71f4f68b11ea.html\|title=TOP 40 (money makers for 95-96)\|work=Racine Journal Times\|access-date=August 2, 2022\|date=September 9, 1996\|url-access=subscription\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220802213136/https://journaltimes.com/news/top-40-money-makers-for-95-96/article_85213eb0-e922-548b-8074-71f4f68b11ea.html\|archive-date=August 2, 2022}}
scope="col" \| No. ! scope="col" \| Recipient ! scope="col" \| Career
scope="row" \| 1 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Oprah Winfrey \| Television personality
scope="row" \| 2 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Steven Spielberg \| Filmmaker
scope="row" \| 3 \| {{flagicon\|UK}} The Beatles \| Musicians
scope="row" \| 4 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Michael Jackson \| Musician
scope="row" \| 5 \| {{flagicon\|UK}} The Rolling Stones \| Musicians
scope="row" \| 6 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Eagles \| Musicians
scope="row" \| 7 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Arnold Schwarzenegger \| Actor
scope="row" \| 8 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} David Copperfield \| Illusionist
scope="row" \| 9 \| {{flagicon\|CAN}} Jim Carrey \| Actor
scope="row" \| 10 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Michael Crichton \| Filmmaker

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ 1996{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1996/09/09/yoga-teacher-makes-peace-in-cleveland-park/62b3c7f2-2c00-400c-9123-3c59377d7475/|title=Yoga Teacher Makes Peace in Cleveland Park|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=August 2, 2022|date=September 9, 1996|first1=Ann|last1=Gerhart|first2=Annie|last2=Groer}}{{cite web|url=https://journaltimes.com/news/top-40-money-makers-for-95-96/article_85213eb0-e922-548b-8074-71f4f68b11ea.html|title=TOP 40 (money makers for 95-96)|work=Racine Journal Times|access-date=August 2, 2022|date=September 9, 1996|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220802213136/https://journaltimes.com/news/top-40-money-makers-for-95-96/article_85213eb0-e922-548b-8074-71f4f68b11ea.html|archive-date=August 2, 2022}}

scope="col" | No.

! scope="col" | Recipient

! scope="col" | Career

scope="row" | 1

| {{flagicon|USA}} Oprah Winfrey

| Television personality

scope="row" | 2

| {{flagicon|USA}} Steven Spielberg

| Filmmaker

scope="row" | 3

| {{flagicon|UK}} The Beatles

| Musicians

scope="row" | 4

| {{flagicon|USA}} Michael Jackson

| Musician

scope="row" | 5

| {{flagicon|UK}} The Rolling Stones

| Musicians

scope="row" | 6

| {{flagicon|USA}} Eagles

| Musicians

scope="row" | 7

| {{flagicon|USA}} Arnold Schwarzenegger

| Actor

scope="row" | 8

| {{flagicon|USA}} David Copperfield

| Illusionist

scope="row" | 9

| {{flagicon|CAN}} Jim Carrey

| Actor

scope="row" | 10

| {{flagicon|USA}} Michael Crichton

| Filmmaker

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" \|+ 1997{{cite web\|url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/09/09/in-the-money/\|title=In the money\|work=Tampa Bay Times\|access-date=August 2, 2022\|date=September 9, 1997}}
scope="col" \| No. ! scope="col" \| Recipient ! scope="col" \| Career
scope="row" \| 1 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Steven Spielberg \| Filmmaker
scope="row" \| 2 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} George Lucas \| Filmmaker
scope="row" \| 3 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Oprah Winfrey \| Television personality
scope="row" \| 4 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Michael Crichton \| Filmmaker
scope="row" \| 5 \| {{flagicon\|UK}} The Beatles \| Musicians
scope="row" \| 6 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Jerry Seinfeld \| Television personality
scope="row" \| 7 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} David Copperfield \| Illusionist
scope="row" \| 8 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Stephen King \| Author
scope="row" \| 9 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Tom Cruise \| Actor
scope="row" \| 10 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Arnold Schwarzenegger \| Actor

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ 1997{{cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/09/09/in-the-money/|title=In the money|work=Tampa Bay Times|access-date=August 2, 2022|date=September 9, 1997}}

scope="col" | No.

! scope="col" | Recipient

! scope="col" | Career

scope="row" | 1

| {{flagicon|USA}} Steven Spielberg

| Filmmaker

scope="row" | 2

| {{flagicon|USA}} George Lucas

| Filmmaker

scope="row" | 3

| {{flagicon|USA}} Oprah Winfrey

| Television personality

scope="row" | 4

| {{flagicon|USA}} Michael Crichton

| Filmmaker

scope="row" | 5

| {{flagicon|UK}} The Beatles

| Musicians

scope="row" | 6

| {{flagicon|USA}} Jerry Seinfeld

| Television personality

scope="row" | 7

| {{flagicon|USA}} David Copperfield

| Illusionist

scope="row" | 8

| {{flagicon|USA}} Stephen King

| Author

scope="row" | 9

| {{flagicon|USA}} Tom Cruise

| Actor

scope="row" | 10

| {{flagicon|USA}} Arnold Schwarzenegger

| Actor

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" \|+ 1998{{cite news\|url=https://apnews.com/article/5361d68519419dfa50d79f8666901b24\|title=Forbes list of entertainers\|work=Associated Press News\|access-date=August 2, 2022\|date=September 7, 1998}}
scope="col" \| No. ! scope="col" \| Recipient ! scope="col" \| Career
scope="row" \| 1 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Jerry Seinfeld \| Television personality
scope="row" \| 2 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Larry David \| Television personality
scope="row" \| 3 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Steven Spielberg \| Filmmaker
scope="row" \| 4 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Oprah Winfrey \| Television personality
scope="row" \| 5 \| {{flagicon\|CAN}} James Cameron \| Filmmaker
scope="row" \| 6 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Tim Allen \| Actor
scope="row" \| 7 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Michael Crichton \| Filmmaker
scope="row" \| 8 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Harrison Ford \| Actor
scope="row" \| 9 \| {{flagicon\|UK}} The Rolling Stones \| Musicians
scope="row" \| 10 \| {{flagicon\|USA}} Master P \| Musician

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ 1998{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/5361d68519419dfa50d79f8666901b24|title=Forbes list of entertainers|work=Associated Press News|access-date=August 2, 2022|date=September 7, 1998}}

scope="col" | No.

! scope="col" | Recipient

! scope="col" | Career

scope="row" | 1

| {{flagicon|USA}} Jerry Seinfeld

| Television personality

scope="row" | 2

| {{flagicon|USA}} Larry David

| Television personality

scope="row" | 3

| {{flagicon|USA}} Steven Spielberg

| Filmmaker

scope="row" | 4

| {{flagicon|USA}} Oprah Winfrey

| Television personality

scope="row" | 5

| {{flagicon|CAN}} James Cameron

| Filmmaker

scope="row" | 6

| {{flagicon|USA}} Tim Allen

| Actor

scope="row" | 7

| {{flagicon|USA}} Michael Crichton

| Filmmaker

scope="row" | 8

| {{flagicon|USA}} Harrison Ford

| Actor

scope="row" | 9

| {{flagicon|UK}} The Rolling Stones

| Musicians

scope="row" | 10

| {{flagicon|USA}} Master P

| Musician

Statistics

class="wikitable sortable" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" background: #f6e39c; \|+ Most entries by entertainer at the top 10
Entries ! Individual ! Country of origin ! Main profession
12 \|Steven Spielberg \|rowspan="4" style="text-align:center" \|United States \|Filmmaker
10 \| style="background:#FFC0CB;" \|Oprah Winfrey \|Television personality
rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" \|8 \|Michael Jackson \|Musician
Bill Cosby \|Television personality
rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" \|7 \|The Rolling Stones \|United Kingdom \|Musicians
Charles Schulz \|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" \|United States \|Cartoonist
rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" \|5 \| style="background:#FFC0CB;" \|Madonna \|Musician
David Copperfield \|Illusionist

class="wikitable sortable" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" background: #f6e39c;

|+ Most entries by entertainer at the top 10

Entries

! Individual

! Country of origin

! Main profession

|Steven Spielberg

|rowspan="4" style="text-align:center" |United States

|Filmmaker

| style="background:#FFC0CB;" |Oprah Winfrey

|Television personality

rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" |8

|Michael Jackson

|Musician

Bill Cosby

|Television personality

rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" |7

|The Rolling Stones

|United Kingdom

|Musicians

Charles Schulz

|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" |United States

|Cartoonist

rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" |5

| style="background:#FFC0CB;" |Madonna

|Musician

David Copperfield

|Illusionist

=''Forbes'' reports and summarize=

Forbes 20th-century lists were predominantly dominated by male figures. In 1996 alone, only four female celebrities made appearances at the list (Oprah Winfrey ranked 1, Roseanne Barr at 25, Mariah Carey at 33, and Sandra Bullock at 40). Winfrey, however, often appeared even above many individuals regardless of gender, which has been maintained with the inception of Forbes Celebrity 100 in 1999. Various musicians often dominated the list, although high ranks were not usually attained by female artists. Like Winfrey, Madonna was an almost premier exception.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ontheissuesmagazine.com/1993spring/Spring1993_Quellette.php|date=1993|access-date=March 8, 2022|magazine=On the Issues|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102202151/https://www.ontheissuesmagazine.com/1993spring/Spring1993_Quellette.php|archive-date=January 2, 2011|title=Let's get "Serious," The Attack on Madonna Scholarship}}

On the other hand, lists were dominated by American personalities rather than foreigners. The Beatles attained the highest ranked for non-Americans. According to Forbes, after list' 11th anniversary, Steven Spielberg and Bill Cosby were the individuals with the most appearances at the top, with three each.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/1997/09/12/feat_side1.html?sh=69eeee0f18d6|title=Little known facts about the Forbes 40|work=Forbes|access-date=August 2, 2022|date=September 12, 1997|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220802195446/https://www.forbes.com/1997/09/12/feat_side1.html?sh=7c7028e918d6|archive-date=August 2, 2022}}

References

Category:Annual magazine issues

Category:Lists of celebrities

Category:Forbes lists

Forbes Top 40

''Forbes'' Top 40 lists

= 1980s =

= 1990s =

Statistics

=''Forbes'' reports and summarize=

See also

References