Icons typically continue to generate income well after their deaths, but Michael Jackson's taking things to new heights.

Making his Forbes List debut, MJ generated $275 million this past year, more money than any other living star, minus Oprah, and out-earned every celebrity on the Top Earning Dead Celebrity list.

Elvis Presley still makes loads of money 33 years after his death. He comes in at no. 2 with $60 million. "Lord of the Rings" author J.R.R. Tolkien raked in $50 million, largely due to a two-movie adaptation of his book, "The Hobbit" going into production. Cartoonist Charles Schulz ranked fourth with $33 million and Beatles frontman John Lennon came in at no. 5 with $17 million. See the full list below.

1. Michael Jackson $275 million

2. Elvis Presley $60 million

3. J.R.R. Tolkien $33 million

4. Charles Schulz $50 million

5. John Lennon $17 million

6. Stieg Larsson $15 million

7. Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel) $11 million

8. Albert Einstein $10 million

9. George Steinbrenner $8 million

10. Richard Rodgers $7 million

11. Jimi Hendrix $6 million

12. Steve McQueen $6 million