Jerry Seinfeld tops US comedian rich list

Jerry Seinfeld made around $5m from syndication royalties of his hit sitcom

Jerry Seinfeld has topped a list of highest-earning US comics for the third year in a row, according to Forbes.

The 59-year-old made $32 million (£21.1m) in 2012, made up of syndication royalties from his hit sitcom and more than 70 tour dates.

America's Got Talent winner Terry Fator was at number two with $24m (£15.9m).

The comedy ventriloquist performed more than 200 shows last year thanks to his five-year contract with the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas.

The Top 10 male-dominated list ranks the Canadian Russell Peters, one of the world's most successful touring comics, in third place.

Peters made an estimated $21m (£13.9m) after selling out large venues like New York's Madison Square Garden and London's O2 Arena.

Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham, who topped the list in 2010, is at four with $19m (£12.6m), with Louis CK debuting at five.

The Emmy winner made $16m (£10.6m) after selling tickets to his shows directly through his website, instead of through ticket retailers.

Although he said cutting out the middlemen earned him less money, the comic tweeted he had made $4.5m just 45 hours after the tickets went on sale.

Also appearing on the chart areKevin Hart, Larry the Cable Guy and George Lopez.

To make the list, the comics' primary source of income has to be from ticket sales.

The pre-tax figures were compiled after Forbes spoke to agents, solicitors and other industry insiders to estimate earnings between 1 June 2012 and 1 June 2013.