Originally published on JRR Tolkien Examiner on 10/28/09.
Oxford philology professor and occasional fantasy author J.R.R. Tolkien was the fifth highest-earning dead celebrity in 2009, two spots behind newcomer Michael Jackson, according to Forbes Magazine.
With an estimated $50 million in income to his estate in the last 12 months, Tolkien beat out Peanuts creator Charles Schulz ($35 million); peace chance-giver John Lennon ($15 million); childrens’ author and cartoonist Theodor Seuss Geisel ($15 million); and global warming denier Michael Crichton ($9 million).
The top five were rounded out by overrated rock pioneer Elvis Presley ($55 million); pedophile (alleged) Jackson ($90 million); non-gay musical theater trailblazers Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein ($235 million); and extremely gay fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent ($350 million).
Forbes says that the settlement reached in the Tolkien Trust’s lawsuit against New Line Cinema totaled over $100 million.
[...] The Professor is moving up in the world, at least financially. JRR Tolkien is the third wealthiest dead celebrity in Forbes Magazine’s yearly poll, up from fifth place last year. [...]