The entertainment industry is known to be a lucrative business, with celebrities and television personalities earning vast sums of money. Although it is easy to assume that reality stars earn the bulk of the pie, television hosts also make out pretty well.
Iconic figures like the late Alex Trebek and Chris Harrison became household names for a reason. However, the more popular you are and the longer your show stays on air, the more money you earn.
Drew Carey, the host of The Price is Right, took over for Bob Barker in 2007 and has been the host of the show for more than 15 years, and Carey is undoubtedly one of the highest-paid hosts in the world.
Updated in March 2024: As of 2024, Carey boasts an impressive net worth, reportedly amounting to $180 million. He continues to make an estimated $50,000 per episode salary for his role on ‘The Price is Right’, and it’s likely this will continue to increase as he nears his 20th anniversary with the show in only a few years. Through various avenues including television shows, movies, stand-up comedy and diversified business ventures, Carey rakes in a substantial annual income of $15 million, reports claim. This has helped establish Carey as one of the most successful figures in the entertainment industry.
How Much Does Drew Carey Make for Hosting The Price is Right?
Reports claim Drew Carey earns $12.5 million per year hosting The Price Is Right
Drew Carey is a seasoned entertainer with a career that spans acting, comedy, and producing. As a result, any hosting gig he considers would naturally present him with a hefty offer.
The Price Is Right is no exception. Although Drew has been tight-lipped about his salary, Celebrity Net Worth reports that he earns a whopping $12.5 million per year hosting The Price Is Right.
The Price Is Right is one of the most famous competition game shows on television. With Drew’s popularity and success, it is unsurprising that he would receive such a high salary. To put it into perspective, this figure makes Drew Carey one of the 20 highest-paid TV hosts in the world.
The Price Is Right is an iconic game show that has been on air since 1956 and was revamped in 1972. Drew took over the show’s hosting duties in 2007 after former host Bob Barker retired.
Given the popularity and longevity of the show, it makes sense that Drew would receive such a high salary. Furthermore, Drew’s success as a host is not limited to The Price Is Right.
He also found success with the show The Power of 10, which aired from August 2007 to January 2008. Although the show did not last long, it was revamped internationally. Drew’s popularity and expertise as a host made him the perfect successor to Bob Barker, who had become a staple on the show over the years.
How Much Did Bob Barker Make For Hosting The Price is Right?
Reports claim Bob Barker made a total of around $10 million for hosting The Price is Right
Bob Barker hosted The Price is Right for 35 years. He retired from the show in 2007 and gave his hosting job to Drew Carey. Unfortunately, Barker passed away at his residence in Los Angeles on August 26, 2023, at 99 years old after battling Alzheimer’s disease for several years. He reportedly had a net worth of $70 million before his passing.
But how much did Barker make while hosting? Celebrity Networth said Barker made around $10 million for hosting The Price is Right. The 99-year-old has a guesstimated net worth of $70 million.
The Hollywood icon began hosting The Price is Right after being named the host of Truth or Consequences in 1956. While he was still on Truth or Consequences, CBS wanted to revive The Price is Right, but only if Barker was the host. They got their wish, and his first episode of the iconic series aired on September 4, 1972.
Not only did Barker want to be victorious against Sandler in the film, but he wanted to get his hands dirty by actually filming the fight scenes.
Over the next 35 years, Barker was well compensated for his hosting duties and keeping the show popular across generations of viewers. During the last decade of his tenure, he made a serious bank; however, Barker has been known for his philanthropy work and passion for animal rights.
Animal rights is an issue close to his heart, and Barker signed off every episode of The Price is Right for years with the phrase, “Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered.”
He has made several major donations to animal rights groups, including a $5 million donation in 2010 to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, which used the money to purchase a ship that they named the “MY Bob Barker.”
The ship is used to find and interrupt Japanese whaling vessels. Barker later purchased a helicopter for the organization.
His name also sits atop PETA’s Los Angeles headquarters. He donated $2.5 million to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to construct the building that now bears his moniker.
In addition, he paid $700,000 in 2014 for three elephants to be relocated from a zoo in Toronto, Canada, to a sanctuary in California. He also gave Georgetown University’s law school a $1 million endowment for an animal rights study program.
There’s no doubt Barker was giving back, and when he retired, he gave Carey one rule to follow.
The One Rule Bob Barker Had For Drew Carey
Bob Barker didn’t want Drew Carey to emulate him
Bob Barker’s rule for Drew Carey when he took over as host of The Price is Right was simple: “Don’t try to copy me. Just make it your own show.”
Carey, who starred in The Drew Carey Show from 1995 to 2004, took this advice to heart, stating that he knew he could never be like Bob Barker.
