Trump, Stern among highest-paid celebs in new Forbes list

Tuesday August 28, 2012 11:40 AM By Kirthana Ramisetti

Photo credit: Getty Images | Donald Trump attends the "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth" Broadway opening night at Longacre Theatre in Manhattan. (Aug. 2, 2012)

Is it me, or does Forbes come out with a new list every week? This time, the magazine announced the year’s “20 Highest Paid Celebrities,” which includes three boldfaced names from the Hudson Valley.

Howard Stern ranks no. 7 on Forbes’ list, making him the highest-paid local celeb. The “America’s Got Talent” judge, who began his professional career as a DJ at 107.1 FM in Westchester County's Briarcliff Manor, rakes in an impressive $95 million from his reality TV and radio careers. In other words, Stern Got Bank.

Following right behind Stern is bestselling author and Newburgh native James Patterson, whose $94 million earnings attained him the eighth spot. Famous for penning popular thrillers such as “Kiss the Girls,” Patterson released a whopping 14 titles in 2011. (Forbes adds that co-writers help supplement the number of books he releases.)

Cue the “Apprentice” theme music (“Money, money, money, money!”): Donald Trump rounds out local celebs on the list, coming in at no. 18. The “Apprentice” star, who attended the New York Military Academy in Cornwall-on-Hudson, is said to have earned $63 million from a myriad of projects, including his books and speaking engagements.

Tags: Briarcliff Manor , Newburgh , Cornwall-on Hudson , Howard Stern , James Patterson , Donald Trump , Forbes , celebrities