Forbes 'Top-Earning Dead Celebrities' List

October 25, 2011 The Extra List

For the second year in a row, Michael Jackson tops Forbes annual list of the "Top-Earning Dead Celebrities," with $170 million, enough to make him the second highest-earning pop act over the past year, dead or alive, after U2.

Cirque du Soleil has been a big factor in adding to the big bucks bottom line for dead pop stars. The Cirque show "Viva Elvis" helped Elvis Presley rank second on the list with $55 million, as did "The Beatles Love," which launched John Lennon to fifth place with $12 million.

Here are the top 10 dead celebs, who earned millions between October 2010 and October 2011.

The 10 List: Top-Earning Dead Celebrities

10. Steig Larsson

$7 million Author of "The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo" series Died: Nov. 9, 2004 at age 50

9. Jimi Hendrix

$7 million Musician Died: Sept. 18, 1970 at age 27

8. Theodor 'Dr. Seuss' Geisel

$9 million Author of the famed "Dr. Seuss" children's books Died: Sept. 24, 1991 at age 87

7. Albert Einstein

$10 million Scientist Died: April 18, 1955 at age 76

6. Elizabeth Taylor

$12 million Actress Died: March 23, 2011 at age 79

5. John Lennon

$12 million Musician Died: Dec. 8, 1980 at age 40

4. Charles Schulz

$25 million Cartoonist, creator of the "Peanuts" franchise Died: Feb. 12, 2000 at age 77

3. Marilyn Monroe

$27 million Actress Died: Aug. 5, 1962 at age 36

2. Elvis Presley

$55 million Singer, Actor Died: Aug. 16, 1977 at age 42

1. Michael Jackson

$170 million Musician Died: June 25, 2009 at age 50

Filed Under: Remembered, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe
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