The fat pay package of new Ford CEO Alan Mulally raised eyebrows among compensation watchers: $2 million base salary, $7.5 million signing bonus, loads of stock options and make-good money for the dough he left on the table at Boeing. When Mulally's 2006 compensation gets reported in Ford's proxy statement next spring, it could add up to almost $35 million.
Well, a Mulally (or a Mullally) doesn't come cheap. Take Megan, the former "Will & Grace" star and recent Emmy winner. She bagged about $330,000 per episode, says the Hollywood grapevine, which would put her above $7 million per season.
These days, Mullally, 48, hosts a syndicated TV talk show, which probably brings in $2 million, maybe $2.5 million. But, like Mulally, Mullally has upside earnings potential if things go well. Rosie O'Donnell got about $30 million a year for her daily talk show when it was a big hit.