John Krasinski Is Quietly One Of The Highest-Paid TV Actors Right Now

While the bulk of headlines seem to be focused on the fact that Zendaya will now earn close to US$1 million (AU$1.5 million) per episode of HBO’s Euphoria season 3 after an extremely successful contract negotiation, we’re still stuck on the fact that John Krasinski is currently one of the highest-paid TV actors thanks to Amazon Prime Video’s Tom Clancy adaptation Jack Ryan.

“Most agents and lawyers I talk to believe [the title of highest-paid TV actor] goes to Jack Ryan star John Krasinski,” explains Matthew Belloni of Puck News, who broke the story.

“Whose acting (and executive producing) fee is believed to reach, or even top, $2 million an episode on the Amazon series’ just-concluded eight-episode third season.”

Considering Jack Ryan season 3 is comprised of eight episodes, effectively, John Krasinski earned US$16 million (AU$23.8 million) from Amazon Prime Video alone in 2022. Not bad, considering he reportedly only netted US$14.7 million (AU$21.9 million) for his entire nine-season run as Jim Halpert in The Office US.

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In the specific cohort outlined by Belloni and Puck News, Krasinski is not-so-closely followed by a heavy-hitting lineup of names ranging from Kevin Costner (Yellowstone), Mahershala Ali (The Pilot), and Sylvester Stallone (Tulsa King), to Michael Keaton (Dopesick), Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford (Yellowstone: 1923), as well as the aforementioned Zendaya – who also produces the HBO series in addition to lending her Emmy award-winning dramatic talents:

• John Krasinski, Jack Ryan (Amazon Prime Video) – US$2 million / AU$2.97 million per episode
• Kevin Costner, Yellowstone (Paramount Network) – US$1.3 million / AU$1.9 million per episode
• Mahershala Ali, The Pilot (Onyx Collective) – US$1.3 million / AU$1.9 million per episode
• Sylvester Stallone, Tulsa King (Paramount+) – US$1 million per episode / AU$1.5 million
• Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso (Apple TV+) – US$1 million per episode / AU$1.5 million
• Paul Rudd, The Shrink Next Door (Apple TV+) – US$1 million per episode / AU$1.5 million
• Will Ferrell, The Shrink Next Door (Apple TV+) – US$1 million per episode / AU$1.5 million
• Michael Keaton, Dopesick (Hulu) – US$1 million per episode / AU$1.5 million
• Helen Mirren, Yellowstone: 1923 (Paramount+) – US$1 million per episode / AU$1.5 million
• Harrison Ford, Yellowstone: 1923 (Paramount+) – US$1 million per episode / AU$1.5 million
• Zendaya, Euphoria (HBO) – nearly US$1 million per episode / AU$1.5 million

It’s interesting to note that out of the 11 names listed above, over a quarter of them draw a salary from shows created by the one and only Taylor Sheridan. I guess Yellowstone Cinematic Universe money just hits different.

Anyway, here’s how they stack up in the grand scheme of things according to Variety‘s article regarding the highest-paid actors on TV published a few years prior.

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The Highest-Paid TV Actors (Salary Per Episode)

**All figures converted to USD; some amended due to updates in the years since initial report

1. Robert Downey Jr., The Sympathizer (HBO) – $2 million minimum
2. John Krasinski, Jack Ryan (Amazon Prime Video) – $2 million
3. Chris Pratt, The Terminal List (Amazon) – $1.4 million
4. Kevin Costner, Yellowstone (Paramount Network) – $1.3 million
5. Mahershala Ali, The Pilot (Onyx Collective) – $1.3 million
6. Sylvester Stallone, Tulsa King (Paramount+) – $1 million
7. Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso (Apple TV+) – $1 million
8. Paul Rudd, The Shrink Next Door (Apple TV+) – $1 million
9. Will Ferrell, The Shrink Next Door (Apple TV+) – $1 million
10. Michael Keaton, Dopesick (Hulu) – $1 million
11. Helen Mirren, Yellowstone: 1923 (Paramount+) – $1 million
12. Harrison Ford, Yellowstone: 1923 (Paramount+) – $1 million
13. Jeff Bridges, The Old Man (FX) – $1 million
14. Zendaya, Euphoria (HBO) – nearly $1 million
15. Bryan Cranston, Your Honor (Showtime) – $750,000
16. Sarah Jessica Parker, And Just Like That… (HBO Max) – $650,000 to $750,000
17. Cynthia Nixon, And Just Like That… (HBO Max) – $650,000 to $750,000
18. Kristin Davis, And Just Like That… (HBO Max) – $650,000 to $750,000
19. Kate Winslet, Mare of Easttown (HBO) – $650,000
20. Gillian Anderson, The First Lady (Showtime) – $600,000
21. Viola Davis, The First Lady (Showtime) – $600,000
22. Michelle Pfeiffer, The First Lady (Showtime) – $600,000
23. Pedro Pascal, The Last of Us (HBO) – $600,000
24. Steve Martin, Only Murders in the Building (Hulu) – $600,000
25. Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building (Hulu) – $600,000
26. Alec Baldwin, Dr Death (Peacock) – $575,000
27. Angela Bassett, 9-1-1 (Fox) – $450,000
28. Jude Law, The Third Day (HBO) – $425,000
29. Brian Cox, Succession (HBO) – $400,000 to $500,000
30. Henry Cavill, The Witcher (Netflix) – $400,000
31. Ted Danson, Mr Mayor (NBC) – $400,000
32. Sara Gilbert, The Conners (ABC) – $400,000
33. John Goodman, The Conners (ABC) – $400,000
34. Laurie Metcalf, The Conners (ABC) – $400,000
35. David Harbour, Stranger Things (Netflix) – $350,000 to $400,000
36. Winona Ryder, Stranger Things (Netflix) – $350,000 to $400,000
37. Kieran Culkin, Succession (HBO) – $300,000 to $350,000
38. Sarah Snook, Succession (HBO) – $300,000 to $350,000
39. Jeremy Strong, Succession (HBO) – $300,000 to $350,000