Cameo: Michael Rapaport tops list of highest-earning celebrities in UK and US on shoutout app

It’s the fast-growing ‘shoutout’ website that allows you to buy personalised greetings from your favourite celebrities.  

Cameo is filling the pockets of film stars and public figures ranging from Harry Potter actors to former UKIP leader Nigel Farage.  

But its shareholders are also set to reap the rewards of the celebrity greetings app.

The Chicago-based company, which turns four this year, has recently been valued at a whopping $1billion.

Originally launched by Martin Blencowe, a British tech entrepreneur from Brighton, the firm makes its money by taking a 25 per cent cut of the fees for the celebrity shout-outs.  

Celebrities can charge hundreds and sometimes thousands of pounds for the videos.

Caitlyn Jenner currently charges the most on Cameo, with a video costing £1,875 and a direct message costing £14.99.

According to the star’s profile, the money from the videos goes to her Caitlyn Jenner Foundation. 

Inbetweeners star James Buckley, who played Jay Cartwright in the hit series, is one of the most prolific Cameo stars.

The comedian, who offers fans videos in the style of his foul-mouthed character, made an average of 37 videos a day in 2020. 

Today MailOnline looks at some of the stars who are helping drive the growing Cameo craze. 

The figures used are not definitive and are an estimate calculated from the number of reviews and the cost a celebrity currently charges for a video.

Some stars on Cameo may have made more videos, but have not received as many reviews.

MailOnline today requested definitive figures for a top 10 from Cameo, but the company declined to provide them.

UK top earners

Tom Felton: 396 reviews: Cost: £449.25 – 25 per cent = £133,428 estimated earnings

The Harry Potter star is best known for playing the role of Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter film series.

However, the 33-year-old, who most recently starred in the American child’s horror film A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting, has also magicked his way to the top of the Cameo rich-list.

Harry Potter star Tom Felton is best known for playing the role of Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter film series.

Felton, originally from Epsom, Surrey, is one of the priciest UK Cameo stars, at £449 a video.

But spellbound fans don’t seem to care, as he’s received almost 400 postive reviews, while raking in at least £133,000.

James Buckley: 3,100 reviews – £41.25 – 25 per cent = £95,000 estimated earnings

The Inbetweeners star, who played the boastful Jay Cartwright in the Channel 4 comedy series, is thought to be one of the most active Cameo stars around.

Fans often cough up his £41.25 fee for a shout-out video from the comedian, who usually delivers in his trademark Jay character.

The Inbetweeners star, who played the boastful Jay Cartwright in the Channel 4 comedy series, is thought to be one of the most active Cameo stars around

The Inbetweeners star, who played the boastful Jay Cartwright in the Channel 4 comedy series, is thought to be one of the most active Cameo stars around

He has 3,100 reviews on the website, meaning he has earned at least £95,000.

However, according to reports last year, he is said to have made at least 10,000 videos in 2020 and made around £300,000.  

John Cleese: 329 reviews – £337.50 – 25 per cent = £83,278 estimated earnings

The legendary Monty Python comedian is also up there as one of the most costly Cameo stars, at £337.50 a video.

Legendary Monty Python comedian John Cleese is also up there as one of the most costly Cameo stars, at £337.50 a video.

Legendary Monty Python comedian John Cleese is also up there as one of the most costly Cameo stars, at £337.50 a video.

But the 81-year-old funny man is still in popular demand, with at least 329 reviews.

It means the actor has netted at least £83,278 from Cameo.

Oliver Phelps: 811 reviews – £93.75 – 25 per cent = £57,000 estimated earnings and James Phelps: 755 reviews – £93.75 – 25 per cent =  £53,086 estimated earnings

Brothers off-screen and on screen, twins Oliver and James Phelps, who starred in the Harry Potter series seem equally popular in the world of Cameo.

Brothers off-screen and on screen, twins Oliver (pictured left) and James Phelps (pictured right), who starred in the Harry Potter series seem equally popular in the world of Cameo

Brothers off-screen and on screen, twins Oliver (pictured left) and James Phelps (pictured right), who starred in the Harry Potter series seem equally popular in the world of Cameo

The brothers, who played Fred (James) and George (Oliver) Weasley in the film adaption of the books both charge £93.75 for their Cameo videos.

Oliver appears the most popular, with 811 reviews, though James is not far behind, on 755 reviews.

Graham McTavish: 355 reviews – £105 – 25 per cent = £27,597 estimated earnings

Scottish actor Graham James McTavish is best known for his role as Dwalin in The Hobbit film trilogy.

The 60-year-old is also popular on Cameo, with more than 355 reviews.

Charging £105 per video, the Hobbit star has raked in at least £27,597 from the site.   

Justin Hawkins: 533 reviews – £56.25 – 25 per cent = £22,486 estimated earnings

The musician was a big name in the early 2000s when he burst onto the scene as the lead singer of the Darkness.

But he’s managed to shine a bit of light in the world of Cameo. 

Justin Hawkins, the leader singer of the Darkness, has raked in at least £22,486 from his Cameo appearances

Justin Hawkins, the leader singer of the Darkness, has raked in at least £22,486 from his Cameo appearances

The musician, who recently appeared on the Masked Singer, racked up 533 reviews and at £56.25 a video, it means he has earnt at least £22,486 from the app. 

Miltos Yerolemou: 410 review – £56.25 – 25 per cent = £17,297 estimated earnings

The British actor is best known for his role as Syrio Forel in the HBO fantasy TV series Game of Thrones.

He’s also made appearances in films such as Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

But in a galaxy much close to home he’s also made a tidy sum, as a star on Cameo.

With videos costing £56.25, and 410 reviews, he’s earned at least £17,297 from the app. 

Miriam Margolyes: 204 reviews – £127.50 – 25 per cent = £19,508 estimated earnings

The fourth Harry Potter star to feature on the list. The British-Australian actress played Professor Sprout in the series.

Miriam Margolyes is the fourth Harry Potter star to feature on the list. The British-Australian actress played Professor Sprout in the series

Miriam Margolyes is the fourth Harry Potter star to feature on the list. The British-Australian actress played Professor Sprout in the series

One of the pricier UK Cameo stars, a video from the 79-year-old star will set you back £127.50.

The actress has 204 reviews, meaning she has received at least £19,508. 

James Cosmo: 470 reviews – £37.50 – 25 per cent = £13,219 estimated earnings

Fellow Game of Thrones actor is also a hit on Cameo. The Scottish actor played Jeor Mormont in the hit series.

Fans can get a video for £37.50. And with more than 470 reviews, it means the Clydebank actor has netted at least £13,219 

The most expensive UK acts on Cameo 

Jamie Muscato – West End singer: £750 (His profile contains a message saying he is trying to put people off with a high price while he attempts to disable his account)

Rhys James – Comedian: £750

Tom Felton – Harry Potter actor: £449.25 

Gabi Faye – Youtuber: £375

John Cleese – Monty Python Actor and Comedian: £337.50

Emma Rigby – Hollyoaks actress: £255

Alfie Boe – Singer: £225

Boy George – Singer: £225

Nicola Adams –  Boxer: £225

Engelbert Humperdinck – Singer: £224.25

David Bradley – Harry Potter actor: £187.50

Lily Allen – Singer: £187.50

Viv Anderson – Footballer: £150

Chunkz – Social media star: £150

Orissa – Foot archery performer: £150 

Derek Chisora – Boxer: £150

Cleopatra Higgins – West End Star: £150

Bonnie Wright – Harry Potter actress: £150   

Keisha Buchanan – Former Sugarbabes singer: £150

Jenson Button – former F1 World Champion: £150 (charity)

Michael Owen – Footballer (charity): £135    

The Cameo Rich list 2020 in the US – according to analysis by Broadbandchoices.co.uk

As with the UK figures, the estimates are based on the number of reviews and the cost of the videos. Celebrities may have made more videos but received less reviews.

Michael Rapaport: 1,176 reviews – £157 cost – 25 per cent = £138,513 estimated earnings

Actor Michael Rapaport last year became the most successful celebrity to record custom content on Cameo.

The War at Home star received a staggering 1,176 reviews as of July last year and at a cost of £157 a video, raked in at least £138,513.  

Brian Baumgartener: 1,124 reviews – £145 cost – 25 per cent = £122,446 estimated earnings

Baumgartner made over $1 million in bookings in 2020, becoming the unlikely breakout star of Cameo. 

Baumgartner became a fan favorite on The Office over nine seasons and 201 episodes by playing the bumbling account Kevin Malone. 

According to the analysis, he had 1,124 reviews last year and with videos costing £145, could have made more than £122,446.

Brian Baumgartner, playing Kevin Malone, right, and co-star Leslie David Baker as Stanley Hudson in The Office

Brian Baumgartner, playing Kevin Malone, right, and co-star Leslie David Baker as Stanley Hudson in The Office

Gilbert Gottfried: 1,304 reviews – £125 cost = £121,761 estimated earnings

The New York comedian shrill voice has proven popular on Cameo, where he will give you and your friends a shout out for £125.

As of July last year, he had 1,304 reviews at a cost of £125 a video, meaning he could have made at least £121,761 from the app.

Gilbert Gottfried has appeared in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Disney's Aladdin, and has also carved out a good income on Cameo

Gilbert Gottfried has appeared in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Disney’s Aladdin, and has also carved out a good income on Cameo

Kevin O’Leary: 152 reviews – £996 cost = £113,544 estimated earnings

Terence Thomas Kevin O’Leary is a Canadian businessman, author, politician, and television personality.

He might not be a well-known name in the UK, but in the US he stars in the US series of Dragon’s Den – known as Shark Tank.

A true businessman, he charged £996 per video. He’s managed 152 reviews, meaning he’s made at least £113,544 from Cameo – mere Pocket change, for a man estimated to be worth $400million.

James Murray: 474 reviews – £291 costs = £103,476 estimated earnings

Star of the improvisation comedy series Impractical Jokers, Murray, known as Murr, is a big hit on Cameo.

Star of the improvisation comedy series Impractical Jokers, Murray, known as Murr, is a big hit on Cameo

Star of the improvisation comedy series Impractical Jokers, Murray, known as Murr, is a big hit on Cameo

He charges a £291 for his personalised videos, and has 474 reviews, meaning he has made at least £103,476 from the site as of July. 

Sean Astin: 553 reviews – £245 costs = £101,822 estimated earnings

Another Lord of the Rings star to feature in the Cameo Rich list. American actor Astin played Samwise Gamgee in the series.

He charged £245 for a video, and with 553 reviews is believed to have made at least £101,822 from Cameo.  

Perez Hilton: 1,677 reviews – £75 costs = £93,967 estimated earnings 

American blogger, columnist, and media personality Perez Hilton is best known for his blogs and videos about the stars. But, in the process, he became quite the start himself

American blogger, columnist, and media personality Perez Hilton is best known for his blogs and videos about the stars. But, in the process, he became quite the start himself

American blogger, columnist, and media personality Perez Hilton is best known for his blogs and videos about the stars. But, in the process, he became quite the start himself.

He sells videos on Cameo for £75 each. And with 1677 reviews, has raked in at least £93,967 from the site. 

David and Annie Tobrowsky: 2,509 reviews – £47 costs = £89,026 estimated earnings

Stars of the TLC hit franchise 90 Day Fiancé, an American series that follows couples who have applied for or received a visa, available uniquely to foreign fiancés of U.S. citizens.  

The pair are popular on Cameo, and have more than £2,509 reviews. At a modest £47 per video, they are believed to have made up to £89,026.

Sonja Morgan: 1244 reviews – £82 costs = £76,665 estimated earnings

Best known for the Real Housewives of New York, the TV personality  wishes fans a happy birthday on pre-recorded video for $99, or a 10-minute Zoom call for $500.

Sonja Morgan delivers her personalised messages from her Manhattan townhouse

Sonja Morgan delivers her personalised messages from her Manhattan townhouse

Debbie Gibson: 587 reviews – £162 costs = £71,255 estimated earnings

The American singer-songwriter has been around the US music scene for a while, having released her debut album Out of the Blue in 1987.

She’s also had international hits and has starred on Broadway.

A video from the 50-year-old, who is from New York, will cost you £162. With 587 reviews, she is believed to have made at least £71,255 from the site.