Winfrey dominates tally of highest-paid TV faces

Talk show diva Oprah Winfrey reigns over yet another list of highly paid celebrities, according to the latest of Forbes magazine's entertainment world rankings.

The influential Winfrey dominated the Forbes TV 20 list, according to a research team at the financial magazine, with her earnings of $260 million US blowing the nearest competitor comedian Jerry Seinfeld right out of the water.

Earlier this year, Winfrey also topped two other Forbes tallies: its annual Celebrity 100 Power List and its inaugural ranking of the 20 richest women in entertainment.

Seinfeld, whose eponymous comedy series ended nearly a decade ago but continues to delight fans in syndication and via DVD, placed second with earnings of $60 million.

American Idol's critical British judge Simon Cowell scored a third-place ranking with $45 million, while late night host David Letterman made it to fourth place by raking in $40 million.

Rounding out the top five was real estate mogul and reality TV personality Donald Trump with $32 million.

Canadian actor Kiefer Sutherland, who was arrested on a DUI charge in Los Angeles earlier this week, made it to 10th place, with his earnings reported at $22 million US.

The Forbesteam crowned Sutherland TV's highest paid dramatic actorafter he signed a three-year contract renewal last year as star and one of the producers of hit counter-terrorism serial 24.

Daytime faces make their mark

The Forbes team noted the success of daytime personalities on the list.

"While a handful of prime-time stars score mega bucks, the Forbes TV 20 is dominated by daytime personalities, a reflection of just how profitable (and cost-effective) their programs are to network coffers," the team wrote, noting the inclusion of the likes of Dr. Phil McGraw, Judge Judy Sheindlin, and Ellen DeGeneres.

The full list is:

1. Oprah Winfrey, $260 million
2. Jerry Seinfeld, $60 million
3. Simon Cowell, $45 million
4. David Letterman, $40 million
5. Donald Trump, $32 million
6. Jay Leno, $32 million
7. Dr. Phil McGraw, $30 million
8. "Judge" Judy Sheindlin, $30 million
9. George Lopez, $26 million
10. Kiefer Sutherland, $22 million
11. Regis Philbin, $21 million
12. Tyra Banks, $18 million
13. Rachael Ray, $16 million
14. Katie Couric, $15 million
15. Ellen DeGeneres, $15 million
16. Ryan Seacrest, $14 million
17. Matt Lauer, $13 million
18. Barbara Walters, $12 million
19. Diane Sawyer, $12 million
20. Meredith Vieira, $10 million

The list looks at each personality's earnings between between June 2006 and June 2007. A television special about the Forbes top-earning TV celebrities list airs on the E! network Friday.