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CKX also markets "American Idol," and the show's contestants did go to Presley's Memphis home, helping to boost attendance 6 percent.

Then, in June, President Bush brought Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi — a big Elvis fan — on a well publicized Graceland pilgrimage. Alas, it just wasn't enough to bolster earnings.

Still, there's hope in the future, with the forthcoming launch of an Elvis-themed Cirque du Soleil in ("Viva") Las Vegas.

3. Charles M. Schulz — In the 1965 landmark holiday special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," the little round-headed kid decried the commercialization of the holiday.

Now, four decades later, you can buy an official "Peanuts" Christmas tree from Urban Outfitters for $24 dollars — and it's just as spindly as the one Charlie Brown nearly kills when he tries to decorate it.

The "Peanuts" cartoon strip still runs in 2,400 papers, but the bulk of the late cartoonist's $35 million in earning comes from licensing. Among other products, Urban Outfitters sells a replica of Linus' security blanket.

4. John Lennon — Droll music historians note that John Lennon was a millionaire many times over when he sang the lyrics to his famous song that go, "Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can?"

With $24 million in earnings last year, the Lennon estate is singing, "All You Need Is Love" all the way to the bank.

The Beatles continue to sell millions of discs, and the New York Supreme Court just cleared the way for the band and its survivors to sue EMI for $25 million in damages and unpaid royalties.

5. Albert Einstein — The greatest of all super-geniuses has hit a goldmine with the Baby Einstein line of educational videos and toys, which generated $400 million last year. Einstein's estate, controlled by Hebrew University of Jerusalem, gleaned at least $20 million in royalties, more than proving the theory of celebrity relativity.

6. Andy Warhol — Andy Warhol famously said, "In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes." But could the pop icon have ever imagine his art plastered on $200 Levi Strauss jeans, as well as limited edition cell phones, and Adidas running shoes, all to the tune of $19 million?