Kad Merad Highest-Paid Comedian in the World
- By Carol Kearney
- Paris
- Last updated on
Hot news
- Hot January 13, 2026
- Cinema January 11, 2026
- Rumor Central January 2026
It's been a rough year for the comedian, but at least he has his millions of dollars to ease the pain. 61-year-old Kad Merad has taken the No. 1 spot on People With Money’s top 10 highest-paid comedians for 2026 with an estimated $58 million in combined earnings.
UPDATE 14/01/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)
Kad Merad tops annual list of highest-paid comedians
In 2023 it looked like the comedian’s spectacular career was winding down. Suddenly, he was back on top. People With Money reports on Tuesday (January 13) that Merad is the highest-paid comedian in the world, pulling in an astonishing $58 million between December 2024 and December 2025, a nearly $30 million lead over his closest competition.
People With Money’s factors
In compiling this yearly list, the magazine considers factors such as upfront pay, profit participation, residuals, endorsements and advertising work.
The French comedian-actor-director has an estimated net worth of $185 million. He owes his fortune to smart stock investments, substantial property holdings, lucrative endorsement deals with CoverGirl cosmetics. He also owns several restaurants (the “Fat Merad Burger” chain) in Paris, a Football Team (the “Sidi-bel-Abbès Angels”), has launched his own brand of Vodka (Pure Wondermerad - France), and is tackling the juniors market with a top-selling perfume (With Love from Kad) and a fashion line called “Kad Merad Seduction”.
The ranking is significant for many Kad fans, who have been waiting for his triumphant return to the glory days for what seems like a lifetime.
© 2026 MediaMass All rights reserved. Do not reproduce (even with permission).
Kad Merad: Recent News
- Love January 10, 2026
- Love January 14, 2026
- Pets January 8, 2026
Celebrity Central