Ventriloquist is comedy's top earner

Ventriloquism is the key to making a fortune in comedy, according to a new survey of America’s top-earning comedians.

Two of the top three acts use the technique, with Achmed The Dead Terrorist creator Jeff Dunham topping the Forbes list with an annual income of $22.5 million.

Although his TV career has never taken off, he made his fortune from touring, DVD sales and merchandising – such as tie-in puppets and ringtones.

At No 3 is was Terry Fator, a ventriloquist who landed a five-year residency at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas after winning America's Got Talent. He earned an estimated $20 million over the last year.

The second top-earning comic was Dane Cook, with Chelsea Handler at number 4. Although she is a chat-show host, she earned much more from being on the road, and from her bestselling books.

To make the cut, the comics had to count stand-up as their primary income, so excluding the likes of Jerry Seinfeld, who made an estimated $75 million over the last year, largely from Seinfeld reruns, and other TV hosts such as Conan O'Brien and Jay Leno.

‘Redneck’ comics also did well, with former Blue Collar Comedy Tour acts Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Larry The Cable Guy all making the top 10.

The list does not include any UK acts – although Peter Kay would be likely to make the list next year, as his current tour is expected to net him something in the region of £26million ($17m).

The top ten as compiled by Forbes is:

1. Jeff Dunham ($22.5million)
2. Dane Cook ($21m)
3. Terry Fator ($20m)
4. Chelsea Handler ($19m)
5. George Lopez ($18m)
6. Larry The Cable Guy ($16.5m)
7. Russell Peters ($15m)
8= Jeff Foxworthy($11m)
8= Howie Mandel ($11m)
10. Bill Engvall ($10.5)

Published: 11 Sep 2010