Highlights

• Hugh Laurie, as Dr. House, earned up to $700,000 per episode, becoming one of the highest-paid actors on network television.
• House M.D. was a global hit, reaching 66 countries and boasting an audience of over 81.8 million worldwide at its peak.
• The House cast members' salaries varied, with Olivia Wilde starting at $40,000, and stars like Lisa Edelstein and Omar Epps at $175,000.

In its prime, the medical drama House ruled the airwaves with mind-bending medical puzzles, intense storylines, and incisive dialogue.

House, also called House, M.D., focused on the brilliant but reclusive and unconventional medical genius, Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) and his team of diagnosticians, as they tackle perplexing medical cases with his unorthodox methods and biting wit.

During its eight-season run from 2004 to 2012, House M.D. consistently ranked among the most-watched television shows worldwide. It peaked in its third season, drawing an average of 19.4 million viewers per episode.

By 2008, House had reached viewers in 66 countries, boasting an audience of over 81.8 million worldwide, making it the most-watched television show globally at that time.

The production was notably expensive, with each episode costing around $5 million, mainly due to high production values and payments to the talented House cast.

Among them was Laurie as the titular character, earning $700,000 per episode by the final season, making him one of the highest-paid actors on network television.

Supporting Laurie were key cast members Jesse Spencer, Robert Sean Leonard, and Omar Epps, each bringing depth to the narrative, all while earning a well-deserved salary commensurate with their contributions to the show's success.

Today, we're taking a look at how much the House cast members were paid per episode.

7 Olivia Wilde (Dr. Remy 'Thirteen' Hadley)

Salary Per Episode - $40,000

Olivia Wilde graced the cast of House as Dr. Remy "Thirteen" Hadley, a character shrouded in mystery and marked by her moral complexities and a guarded personal life.

Introduced in the fourth season of the series – during an innovative hiring plot that mirrored reality show competitions – Wilde's character quickly became a fan favorite.

Dr. Hadley was a Diagnostic Medicine intern battling Huntington's disease, a factor that extensively played into the character's storyline.

At the time Wilde joined House, she was not as well known as she is today, making her salary of approximately $40,000 per episode — notable for her burgeoning career.

Her performance on House significantly boosted her profile in Hollywood, paving the way for numerous roles in both film and television.

As of mid-2024, Olivia Wilde's net worth is estimated to be around $10 million.

6 Peter Jacobson (Dr. Chris Taub)

Salary Per Episode - $75,000

Playing the sarcastic yet charming Dr. Chris Taub, Peter Jacobson's character, known for his witty comebacks and personal dilemmas, provided comic relief and human insights.

Introduced in season four, Taub was a former plastic surgeon who transitioned to diagnostic medicine.

Taub's character arc explored his personal struggles with addiction and gambling, showcasing Jacobson's dramatic abilities as well.

A seasoned actor with a long career before House, Jacobson remained a series regular until the show's finale. Reports suggest he earned a comfortable $75,000 per episode for his work.

This consistent work, along with a diverse acting career that includes roles in films like Transformers and television shows like Law & Order, has helped Jacobson build an estimated net worth of $5 million.

5 Lisa Edelstein (Dr. Lisa Cuddy)

Salary Per Episode - $175,000

Lisa Edelstein graced the screen as Dr. Lisa Cuddy, the Dean of Medicine at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital.

Cuddy's character served as both a foil and a love interest for Dr. House, their complex relationship a central element of the show's narrative.

Edelstein's nuanced portrayal of Cuddy, a woman balancing her professional responsibilities with her personal feelings for House, garnered critical acclaim while keeping the viewers on their toes.

Reports indicate that initially, Edelstein earned approximately $100,000 per episode in season five, with her salary increasing to $175,000 thereafter, a substantial figure for a television series.

However, following a decline in ratings during season seven, Fox reduced the budget for the final season by 20 percent, consequently leading to a decrease in the main cast's salaries — and ultimately resulting in her departure from the series.

Since her exit from the House cast, Edelstein has gone on to star in numerous television shows, including Girlfriends' Guide To Divorce and The Kominsky Method.

Lisa Edelstein has an estimated net worth of $8 million.

4 Omar Epps (Dr. Eric Foreman)

Salary Per Episode - $175,000

Omar Epps portrayed Dr. Eric Foreman on House MD; Foreman is a neurologist known for his rigorous, methodical approach, and often contentious interactions with Dr. Gregory House.

Foreman's character arc, which saw him rise from a subordinate to a senior doctor with substantial authority, mirrored Epps's career trajectory from early roles in 1990s films to his consistent work on television.

Epps joined the cast in season three, and remained a series regular until the show's finale.

During season five, Epps was earning $100,000 per episode, but his character's rising popularity warranted a salary increase of $75,000.

Although he faced a pay cut in the final season, Epps chose to continue with House through to the series finale, unlike Edelstein, who departed from the show.

Omar Epps is not just a talented actor but also a rapper, music producer, and songwriter, bringing a multi-faceted creative energy to his projects.

Today, Epps' net worth stands at approximately $8 million.

3 Robert Sean Leonard (Dr. James Wilson)

Salary Per Episode - $175,000

House's best friend and confidante, Dr. James Wilson, was played by Robert Sean Leonard.

Wilson's character served as a crucial emotional anchor and moral compass within the series, counterbalancing House's often chaotic and abrasive demeanor.

Wilson was a man often caught between his friendship with House and his ethical principles. Wilson's support for House, even in the face of his friend's self-destructive tendencies, made him a relatable character.

Leonard was compensated with a salary of $175,000 per episode in season seven. However, Leonard experienced a salary cut in the final season like his fellow House cast members.

Outside of House, Leonard has enjoyed a successful career across film, theater, and television, helping him earn an estimated net worth of $10 million.

2 Jesse Spencer (Dr. Robert Chase)

Salary Per Episode - $175,000

Jesse Spencer, an Australian actor who gained international recognition for his role as Dr. Robert Chase on House M.D., was a mainstay on the show for all eight seasons.

Initially portrayed as a young and somewhat naive doctor, his character gradually matured into a skilled surgeon and a voice of reason within House's team.

As a main cast member, Spencer's earnings started at $100,000 around season five, increasing to $175,000 by the penultimate season, aligning with his character's importance to the overall narrative.

Similar to other main cast members, he experienced a pay reduction due to the studio's budget cuts in the final season.

Spencer's career continued to thrive outside of House, marked by his leading role in the drama series Chicago Fire, among other projects.

Jesse Spencer currently has an estimated net worth of $8 million.

1 Hugh Laurie (Dr. Gregory House)

Salary Per Episode - $700,000

Hugh Laurie played the iconic role of Dr. Gregory House, the genius but misanthropic lead character of House M.D.

Laurie's portrayal of the unconventional, pill-popping doctor earned him widespread acclaim and numerous awards, including two Golden Globes, and several Emmy nominations.

Laurie's ability to balance House's acerbic wit with his underlying vulnerability was the show's selling point.

Beginning in season three, Hugh Laurie's compensation surged to between $275,000 and $300,000 per episode, nearly tripling his earlier earnings from the series.

By the fifth season, his salary had increased to around $400,000 per episode, and by the final season, it reached $700,000 per episode, making him one of the highest-paid actors on network television.

Today, Hugh Laurie has earned a net worth of approximately $45 million, through his successful career spanning acting, music, and comedy.