Simon Cowell earned a staggering R553-million last year.

The music mogul, who judges 'Britain's Got Talent' and 'The X Factor' in the UK and 'American Idol' and 'America's Got Talent' in the US, has topped a list of Prime Time TV's Top Earning Men compiled by respected financial publication Forbes magazine.

Real estate mogul and 'The Apprentice' star Donald Trump came in second place after banking R369-million in the period 1 June 2008 to 1 June 2009, with 'American Idol' presenter Ryan Seacrest in third place with earnings of R280-million.z

Seacrest's earnings were generated from his hosting duties, radio show and production on programmes including 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians' but does not include the three-year R332-million deal Ryan signed this summer with 19 Entertainment as it will count towards his earnings next year.

Making up the rest of the top five were 'Two And A Half Men' actor Charlie Sheen, who made R155-million and earns a reported R5-million per episode of the sit-com, and 'The Office' actor Steve Carrell, who has also starred in a number of movies this year.