This planet is crazy: Top 10 earners in afterlife

Kurt Cobain is showbusiness's top earning celebrity in afterlife - surpassing Elvis Presley.

The Nirvana frontman raked in a staggering $50 million last year, putting Presley's $42 million in the shade, according to US business website Forbes.com.
Forbes.com bases its dollar amounts on licensing deals for using the passed away celebrities' work or image in advertising or elsewhere.

This was Cobain's first time on the list in its six years of publication. Presley has ruled the roost since its inception, said forbes.com staff writer Lacey Rose.
It is the first time Cobain has appeared on the list.

His presence on the top spot is due partly to widow Courtney Love selling a 25% stake in in his song catalogue last year.
Cobain shot himself in the head 12 years ago, aged 27.

But songs like Smells Like Teen Spirit and the album Nevermind ensured Cobain would retain a special place in rock history.
Elvis has held the number one spot for the past four years but between 2005-2006 he made only $45 million.

Third in the list is Charles Schulz, creator of the Peanuts cartoon strip, $35 million.
John Lennon is fourth $24 million, followed by new entry Albert Einstein $20 million.
Einstein's estate profits from such licensing deals as the popular Baby Einstein educational videos.
Andy Warhol is sixth, ahead of Theodor 'Dr Seuss' Geisel and singer Ray Charles.
Marilyn Monroe and country legend Johnny Cash make up the top 10.

Author JRR Tolkien, Beatle George Harrison and reggae star Bob Marley are just outside the top 10.
Past top earners include songwriter Irving Berlin and actor Marlon Brando.
Forbes said: "A nail in the casket is hardly the end for some stars. Instead, their work, as well as their iconic images, continues to appeal to fans who remember them, and to those born long after they passed away."

Top 10 list :