Elvis No Longer King of Dead Celebrities

Oct. 24, 2006 — -- As much as Elvis Presley made when he was alive, he's earned millions more since passing away.

In a moment of unbridled cynicisim, Presley's manager, Col. Tom Parker, allegedly said death was a "good career move" for his client -- at least according to Albert Goldman's infamous biography.

This much is true: Elvis has reigned atop Forbes' list of "Top-Earning Dead Celebrities" every year since its inception in 2001, lording over John Lennon, James Dean, and all the others who are dead as dirt, yet filthy rich and getting richer.

But now, there's a new top star among dead tycoons. Forbes hails Kurt Cobain, who earned a whopping $50 million between October 2005 and 2006, as the New No. 1.

Presley wound up in second place, with $42 million, down $3 million from last year. And while it's certainly a blow to his fans, it's still much more than the combined earnings of deceased luminaries Marilyn Monroe ($8 million), Ray Charles ($10 million) and Johnny Cash ($8 million).

In an age of relentless marketing and product licensing, Forbes' dead celebrity power rankings have indeed become a telling sign of the times for certain careers that simply refuse to die.

Here's a look at where the top-earning dead celebs are getting their money:

1. Kurt Cobain --- You'll soon hear Nirvana on "CSI: Miami." One reason Cobain overtook Elvis is that his widow, Courtney Love, cut a deal with Primary Wave, a publishing group, to sell 25 percent of the band's song catalogue -- and now, it will be marketed aggressively.

The company is now exploring using Nirvana music in commercials, especially for eco-friendly products. "Come As You Are," as long as you're driving a hybrid.

2. Elvis Presley -- Don't tell Robert F.X. Sillerman, "It's good to be the king." The billionaire's CKX company paid $114.2 million for rights to Presley's name and likeness, in addition to the tourist operations at Graceland.

The results, however, were not what Sillerman wanted. Presley's annual earnings fell $3 million.