◄ IMDb Polls

Poll: Death Didn’t Stop These Celebrities From Making a Buck

A poll by urbanemovies.
It was just a few short years ago that the estates of John Wayne, Bruce Lee and James Dean would annually top the list of highest paid dead celebrities. Not any longer, a new generation had taken their place as the top earners among the dead. While some names may not surprise you, there seems to be an almost equal number that will.

Which of these selected world's highest-paid dead celebrities, as listed by Forbes in the 21st century, is your favorite money-maker? *selection includes multiple Top 10 Forbes listings and/or cumulative estate income between $25+ million USD and $2+ billion USD since 2001 with nine figure income years noted.

See the companion list: World's Highest-Paid Living Celebrities

Discuss the topic here.

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Make Your Choice

  1. Vote!

    Charles M. Schulz

    Forbes Top #1-#5 Earner: 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001

    Forbes Top #6-#10 Earner: 2022, 2018, 2009

  2. Vote!

    Elvis Presley

    Forbes Top #1-#5 Earner: 2022 ($110M), 2020, 2019, 2018, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001

    Forbes Top #6-#10 Earner: 2021, 2017, 2016

  3. Vote!

    Michael Jackson

    Forbes Top #1-#5 Earner: 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 ($400M), 2017, 2016 ($825M), 2015 ($115M), 2014 ($140M), 2013 ($160M), 2012 ($145M), 2011 ($170M), 2010 ($275M), 2009

    Forbes Top #6-#10 Earner: 2022

  4. Vote!

    John Lennon

    Forbes Top #1-#5 Earner: 2011, 2010, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001

    Forbes Top #6-#10 Earner: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2009, 2008

  5. Vote!

    Dr. Seuss

    Forbes Top #1-#5 Earner: 2021, 2020, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001

    Forbes Top #6-#10 Earner: 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2003

  6. Vote!

    Albert Einstein

    Forbes Top #1-#5 Earner: 2008, 2007, 2006

    Forbes Top #6-#10 Earner: 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009

  7. Vote!

    Bob Marley

    Forbes Top #1-#5 Earner: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2001

    Forbes Top #6-#10 Earner: 2021, 2020, 2016, 2004, 2003, 2002

  8. Vote!

    Marilyn Monroe

    Forbes Top #1-#5 Earner: 2011,

    Forbes Top #6-#10 Earner: 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002

  9. Vote!

    J.R.R. Tolkien

    Forbes Top #1-#5 Earner: 2022 ($500M), 2010, 2009, 2004, 2003

    Forbes Top #6-#10 Earner: 2005, 2002, 2001

  10. Vote!

    Arnold Palmer

    Forbes Top #1-#5 Earner: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016

    Forbes Top #6-#10 Earner: 2021

  11. Vote!

    Elizabeth Taylor

    Forbes Top #1-#5 Earner: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 ($210M), 2011

    Forbes Top #6-#10 Earner: 2016

  12. Vote!

    Prince

    Forbes Top #1-#5 Earner: 2021 ($120M), 2016,

    Forbes Top #6-#10 Earner: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017

  13. Vote!

    George Harrison

    Forbes Top #1-#5 Earner: 2007, 2003

    Forbes Top #6-#10 Earner: 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001

  14. Vote!

    Steve McQueen

    Forbes Top #1-#5 Earner: N/A

    Forbes Top #6-#10 Earner: 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2008, 2007

  15. Vote!

    Bettie Page

    Forbes Top #1-#5 Earner: N/A

    Forbes Top #6-#10 Earner: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012

  16. Vote!

    Richard Rodgers

    Forbes Top #1-#5 Earner: 2009 ($235M)

    Forbes Top #6-#10 Earner: 2011, 2010, 2004

  17. Vote!

    Andy Warhol

    Forbes Top #1-#5 Earner: 2005

    Forbes Top #6-#10 Earner: 2008, 2007, 2006

  18. Vote!

    Jimi Hendrix

    Forbes Top #1-#5 Earner: 2001

    Forbes Top #6-#10 Earner: 2011, 2002

  19. Vote!

    Tupac Shakur

    Forbes Top #1-#5 Earner: N/A

    Forbes Top #6-#10 Earner: 2007, 2003, 2002

  20. Vote!

    Kobe Bryant

    Forbes Top #1-#5 Earner: 2022 ($400M) Forbes Top #6-#10 Earner: 2020
  21. Vote!

    Oscar Hammerstein II

    Forbes Top #1-#5 Earner: 2009 ($235M)

    Forbes Top #6-#10 Earner: 2004

  22. Vote!

    Roald Dahl

    Forbes Top #1-#5 Earner: 2022 ($513M)

    Forbes Top #6-#10 Earner: N/A

  23. Vote!

    Yves Saint-Laurent

    Forbes Top #1-#5 Earner: 2009 ($350M)

    Forbes Top #6-#10 Earner: N/A

  24. Vote!

    David Bowie

    Forbes Top #1-#5 Earner: 2022 ($250M) Forbes Top #6-#10 Earner:
  25. Vote!

    James Brown

    Forbes Top #1-#5 Earner: 2022 ($100M) Forbes Top #6-#10 Earner:

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