After running for 12 seasons, the pay per episode for the actors in Two and a Half Men increased rapidly, and their salaries were unbelievable. Despite being over for nearly a decade, CBS' Two and a Half Men remains one of the most highly-rated and beloved sitcoms. With its cringy family dynamics, hilarious relationships, and relatable mistakes, the show is renowned for its memorable cast. This iconic cast not only gained recognition for their work but also enjoyed a lucrative income from it.
From Charlie Sheen to Ashton Kutcher (although not simultaneously), the actors who brought the show to life earned tens of millions of dollars per season, and their pay only grew with their increasing popularity and length of time on the show. Even in syndication, Two and a Half Men continues to be as popular as ever, and while the actors no longer receive salaries, their royalty checks from the show's syndication must still be substantial. The salaries of the Two and a Half Men cast rank among the biggest in TV history.
Holland Taylor: $75,000
Holland Taylor, acclaimed for her acting prowess, captivated audiences with her portrayal of Evelyn Harper. Despite being an underappreciated character in Two and a Half Men, her sporadic appearances were always memorable and filled with comedic brilliance. Although not considered a regular cast member, the esteemed actress reportedly earned around $75,000 per episode (according to Celebrity Net Worth). While this figure may seem substantial, it pales in comparison to the salaries of her fellow cast members. Notably, there is no evidence suggesting that her remuneration fluctuated throughout the show's duration. Moreover, as the seasons progressed, her appearances became increasingly infrequent.
Conchata Ferrell: $100,000/$150,000
Berta, played by Conchata Ferrell, was the adored supporting character in Two and a Half Man. Known for her straightforward and intimidating personality, she fearlessly managed to boss her own boss, Charlie. Surprisingly, Ferrell was one of the least well-paid actors on the show, despite her immense popularity. However, even with minimal dialogue compared to the rest of the cast, she still earned a staggering amount per episode. With a yearly income of over $1 million (reported by Celebrity Net Worth), Ferrell not only found a special place in the hearts of fans of the series, but also in the realm of television. Although Ferrell passed away in 2020, her portrayal of Berta will forever remain timeless.
Angus T. Jones: $200,000/$300,000
Angus T. Jones made history as the highest-paid child actor on television during his time on Two And A Half Men. Portraying the mischievous and beloved character of Jake, Alan's son, Jones earned an impressive signing bonus and a staggering $200,000 per episode. As his time on the show progressed, his earnings skyrocketed to $300,000 per episode. Remarkably, all of this financial success occurred while Jones was still a minor. Eventually, he chose to leave the show before its conclusion, having amassed a fortune in the process.
Melanie Lynskey: $200,000/$300,000
The exact amount of Melanie Lynskey's salary increase throughout her time on the show remains unclear. However, reports indicate that she initially earned around $200,000 (via E Celebrity Spy). It is impossible to forget her memorable portrayal of the lovable villain in Two and a Half Men. As Rose's (played by Lynskey) popularity soared and her character appeared more frequently, it is certain that her salary also rose. Lynskey, a seasoned actress in both television and film, earned a significant sum of money from her recurring role on Two and a Half Men. However, it is worth noting that those estimates may be inflated, as Lynskey herself revealed that she felt underpaid during her time on the show (via Cosmopolitan).
Marin Hinkle: $500,000
Marin Hinkle portrayed the character of Judith, Alan's ex-wife, in the popular series Two and a Half Men for over 100 episodes. Despite her relatively small role, Hinkle gained recognition and earned a substantial income. She reportedly received an impressive sum of approximately $500,000 per episode of Two and a Half Men, although there is no information available regarding any salary increments she may have received over the years. However, it is likely that this remarkable figure was for Hinkle's later seasons as Judith.
Jon Cryer: $550,000/$620,000
Among the cast of Two and a Half Men, Jon Cryer stands out as the sole actor who appeared in every single episode. Cryer gained fame and fortune by portraying the iconic and mysteriously lovable Alan Harper. It's no wonder his salary saw a considerable increase over the years. While the exact amount he made during the early seasons remains unclear, Cryer earned around $550,000 per episode during the middle seasons as part of the show's cast. In the final few seasons, with Ashton Kutcher joining the cast, Cryer's pay was raised to an impressive $620,000 per episode (via Celebrity Net Worth).
Ashton Kutcher: $700,000
Ashton Kutcher took over from Charlie Sheen on the show during a highly-publicized feud between Sheen and creator Chuck Lorre. This proved to be a highly profitable move for Kutcher, who became one of the highest-paid actors on television when he joined the hit sitcom as Walden Schmidt. Kutcher earned a staggering $700,000 per episode (via Business Insider). However, unlike his castmates, Kutcher never received a raise, despite starting with an already generous salary. Additionally, he only appeared in four seasons of the show, compared to Cryer's impressive 12-season run.
Charlie Sheen: $800,000/$1,800,000
Charlie Sheen has been earning a substantial amount of money ever since the very first episode of Two and a Half Men. In season one, Sheen's salary was $800,000 per episode, which exceeded the earnings of Ashton Kutcher and Jon Cryer in season 12. However, it was in his final season that Sheen's salary reached a staggering 2 million dollars per episode (via Who). Sheen was undeniably the highest-paid television actor during his time on the show. Although he has moved on, it is almost impossible not to associate Charlie Sheen with the iconic character of Charlie Harper.
What The Two And A Half Men Cast Have Done Since The Show Ended
Several supporting actors from the show Two and a Half Men have not had much activity in their acting careers since. Angus T. Jones' most recent appearance was on an episode of Horace and Pete in 2016, and it appears that he has retired from acting. Unfortunately, Conchata Ferrell passed away in 2020. On the other hand, Holland Taylor has continued to have a successful career on television, appearing in the crime drama Mr. Mercedes and the AppleTV+ series The Morning Show. Melanie Lynskey has achieved significant success with her role in two seasons of the popular show Yellowjackets, with a third season already approved. She earns $125,000 per episode for her work. Marin Hinkle has also found success after Two and a Half Men, starring in the popular series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Jon Cryer has found great success on The CW, where he has played the role of Superman's arch-nemesis Lex Luthor in five different series: Supergirl, Batwoman, The Flash, Green Arrow, and Legends of Tomorrow. However, his salary is not known. Ashton Kutcher has also experienced sitcom success with Netflix's The Ranch, earning a substantial $800,000 per episode. Nevertheless, no salary can surpass that of Charlie Sheen's after he was fired from Two and a Half Men in 2011. Sheen went on to star in Anger Management and astonishingly earned even more than his Two and a Half Men salary, making a whopping $2 million per episode.