When Ashton Kutcher replaced Charlie Sheen on the hit comedy “Two And a Half Men,” he also took his place as television’s highest-paid actor, according to Forbes’ annual survey released on Wednesday.Forbes estimated Kutcher earned $24 million from May 2011 to May 2012, while Sheen, now starring in “Anger Management” on cable television following a very public firing from the hit CBS show, didn’t even make the top 10.
Sheen’s $40 million a year ago however easily out-earned Kutcher by some $16 million. Steve Carell, also in the top 10 last year with $15 million before he left “The Office,” was also nowhere to be found this year.Earnings runners-up included “House” star Hugh Laurie and Ray Romano of now-cancelled “Men of a Certain Age,” with $18 million each.