Sofia Vergara is highest-paid actress on U.S. TV

MODERN FAMILY beauty SOFIA VERGARA has been crowned the highest-paid actress on U.S. television.

Editors at Forbes magazine scoured the TV industry for the female celebrities with the biggest pay cheques and the Colombian-born stunner, who recently celebrated her 40th birthday with a new engagement ring, has come out on top, reportedly raking in $19 million .

Vergara cashed in between May, 2011 and May, 2012 thanks to endorsement deals with Pepsi cola and CoverGirl cosmetics, and a clothing line with American retailer Kmart.

Coming in a close second was reality star Kim Kardashian with $18 million , while former Desperate Housewives actress Eva Longoria landed a spot at number three with $15 million in total earnings.

Also making the list were 30 Rock's Tina Fey ($11 million/£6.9 million), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit veteran Mariska Hargitay ($10 million/£6.3 million), and New Girl star Zooey Deschanel ($9 million/£5.6 million).