#24: Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball

TV Show: I Love Lucy

Amount: $7.5 million per year

In its mere six seasons on air, I Love Lucy left an indelible mark that stretched far beyond its relatively short run. It wasn’t just a TV show but a cultural phenomenon that showed the world just how powerful television could be.

Desi Arnaz, who portrayed Lucille Ball’s on-screen hubby, was actually married to her in real life during the show’s heyday. But when the couple split in 1960, they faced the tricky task of divvying up their residuals. Talk about a tricky breakup! Until the rights were sold in 2018, Arnaz and Ball raked in a whopping $7.5 million each year.