Kurt Cobain Surpasses Elvis as Highest Paid Dead Celebrity

Kurt Cobain has overtaken Elvis as the highest-paid dead celebrity. Latest figures - compiled by Forbes.com - show the late 'Nirvana' frontman has made $50 million in the past year despite having killed himself in April 1994.

By comparison, second placed Elvis - who has held the top spot since 2001 and has been dead for almost 30 years - made just $42 million dollars in the past twelve months.

Other big earners who have long since passed include 'Peanuts' cartoon creator Charles Schulz - whose Charlie Brown and Snoopy cartoons are still syndicated in newspapers across the world - whose estate earned $35 million, and 'Imagine' singer John Lennon who raked in $24 million.

The 'Baby Einstein' brand of pre-school toys and DVD's helped late genius Albert Einstein earn $20 million last year, while cultural icons Andy Warhol and Marilyn Monroe also made the list.

Movies have played a big part in keeping the cash pouring in for the three more people who made the top thirteen - Ray Charles, whose life inspired the Oscar-winning film 'Ray'; 'Walk The Line' subject and country music legend Johnny Cash and J.R.R. Tolkein, the creator of the 'Lord of the Rings' epic.