The 61 year old tops the new Forbes list with estimated earnings of $36 million (£22.5 million) from June, 2014 to June, 2015, thanks to residuals from his hit 1990s TV sitcom, while he has also boosted his bank balance with lucrative stand up gigs and his online series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.

Ride Along star Kevin Hart climbs up three spots from last year's (14) rankings to place second with $28.5 million (£17.8 million), ahead of Las Vegas ventriloquist Terry Fator, who has pocketed $21.5 million (£13.4 million). Jeff Dunham and Brit Russell Peters tie at number four with $19 million (£11.9 million).

Aziz Ansari, Louis C.K., and Dave Chappelle also feature in the new top 10.