From Jimmy Fallon to Stephen Colbert, 10 late night hosts ranked from richest to poorest

Jay Leno to Stephen Colbert, here are 10 of the richest late-night talk show hosts

A mainstay of evening television, late-night talk shows give comedians, performers, and visitors a stage to interact with viewers on an array of topics. Subjects that occasionally turn real. From Stephen Colbert's scathing political satire to Jimmy Fallon's light-hearted games and musical performances—each host adds their unique flair and individuality to the late-night scene. Consequently, late-night talk show hosts have amassed substantial wealth and have emerged as significant personalities in popular culture.

1. Jay Leno

With a whopping $450 million in net worth, Jay Leno is currently the richest late-night host in television history. Leno's prolonged run as the host of 'The Tonight Show,' where he delighted viewers for more than 20 years, is credited for his success. Leno's earnings from hosting 'The Tonight Show' exceeded $320 million. Moreover, Leno has consistently continued to perform stand-up comedy and he still does at least 100 shows a year.

2. David Letterman

David Letterman possesses a $400 million net worth. The renowned comedian and television host became famous for his NBC late-night chat show 'Late Night with David Letterman,' which ran from 1982 to 1993. After his initial show was a huge hit, Letterman went on to become one of the most important figures in late-night television when he hosted 'The Late Show with David Letterman' on CBS from 1993 to 2015, per The Things.

3. Conan O'Brien

Conan O'Brien is one of the wealthiest comedians and late-night entertainers in the business with a $200 million net worth. His sharp wit and comedic skill brought him recognition as host of 'Late Night with Conan O'Brien' (1993–2009) and for a brief period of time on 'The Tonight Show' (2009–2010). O'Brien has demonstrated his versatility as an entertainer by branching out into producing and writing alongside his success on television.

4. Bill Maher

Bill Maher has a net worth of a whopping $140 million. As the host of 'Real Time with Bill Maher', he has made a name for himself as a controversial and thought-provoking person who is not afraid to question the status quo and take on challenging topics. With his keen mind and fast wit, Maher has amassed a devoted fan base that values his candid approach to late-night TV. Maher continues to be dedicated to using his position to raise awareness of significant topics while receiving criticism and accolades for his fearlessness in tackling touchy matters.

5. Trevor Noah

The net worth of Trevor Noah is $100 million. As the host of 'The Daily Show,' Noah became famous throughout the world for his ability to offer a novel and distinctive viewpoint on current affairs and political humor. Apart from his prosperous hosting profession, Noah has also written a best-selling autobiography titled 'Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood' and performed multiple stand-up comedy tours.

6. Stephen Colbert

Stephen Colbert, who began his career in comedy in the 1980s, has a net worth of $75 million. Colbert rose to fame as the satirical news show host of 'The Colbert Report'. In 2015, he became the host of 'The Late Show.' Viewers love Colbert for his political commentary and keen intellect, and he has won multiple accolades for his contributions to the field. Colbert is one of the most renowned and significant figures in the entertainment industry, and his show has continuously been rated as one of the best late-night talk shows.

7. Jimmy Fallon

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Jimmy Fallon is worth $70 million, reportedly earning a $16 million salary. Fallon started his career in comedy clubs before becoming famous as a cast member of 'Saturday Night Live.' Following six years on the popular show, he experimented with acting before making a comeback to television in 2009 with 'Late Night with Jimmy Fallon'. He took over as host of 'The Tonight Show' in 2014, having succeeded Jay Leno.

8. Jimmy Kimmel

Not far behind from Fallon is Jimmy Kimmel, who has a net worth of $50 million. Kimmel started his career in radio before moving on to television. In 2003, Kimmel debuted his late-night chat program 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' In addition to garnering praise from critics, his program has been nominated for various accolades, including Primetime Emmys. Kimmel has established himself as the preferred host of award events aside from his late-night program.

9. John Oliver

Before moving to the United States in 2006 to work as Senior British Correspondent for 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,' this British expat began his career in comedy programs in the early 1990s. He has been anchoring 'Last Week Tonight with John Oliver' since 2014, and it is said that he earns $8 million annually. Oliver has a net worth of $40 million, per Celebrity Net Worth. Oliver has an avid fan base and receives critical acclaim for his weekly show, which addresses an array of political and social themes.

10. Seth Meyers

Despite being at the bottom of this list, Seth Meyers still earns a respectable salary. Meyers has a net worth of $26 million and a $5 million salary, per Celebrity Net Worth. Meyers joined the cast of 'Saturday Night Live' as a writer and later rose to the position of head writer. Meyers assumed the role of host of 'Late Night' after departing from 'SNL', and he has been entertaining viewers ever since with his witty banter and perceptive interviews.