AUSTRALIAN actor Simon Baker, the star of police drama The Mentalist, has signed a new deal worth more than $US30 million ($29.86m) taking him from E street to Easy Street.
Simon Baker is set to become the highest paid dramatic actor on television earning more than $US430,000 per episode.

Hollywood was abuzz yesterday after it was revealed the former E Street actor is in the final stages of negotiations to secure a rumoured three season deal worth more than $US30 million.

The deal will see Baker stay on as lead character Patrick Jane, a former psychic turned police consultant, in the CBS drama The Mentalist - aired on Channel Nine in Australia.

However proving he is still just an Aussie surfer at heart, Baker wasn't letting that get in the way of his family's Christmas.

Even with such a massive deal in the works, Baker was at his Australian home near NSW's Byron Bay this week.

Baker was even been spotted by locals grabbing a couple of things from Bunnings.

The soon-to-be $30 million man was also all too happy to pose for photos with residents and other Christmas holiday visitors.

The locals may soon be spotting him a lot less, however, with this new deal guaranteeing he will be a lot busier for the next three years.

According to respected industry blog Deadline Hollywood, Baker's five-year contract is being extended by another year, guaranteeing the star will stay on for three more seasons.

Sweetening the deal, Baker is also being given a producer credit and will get a larger share of the syndication profits.

While the deal is still being finalised Baker can look forward to a massive $10 million year salary.

This means he will surpass English actor Hugh Laurie from House as the top paid dramatic actor with Laurie making just over $US400,000 per episode and Baker set to net $434,783 each time he appears on screen.

Both actors still, of course have a little way to go before they can surpass top comedy earner Charlie Sheen who makes $US1.25 million per episode of Two and a Half Men.

Baker, 41,owns two homes in Australia but spends most of his time in Los Angeles with his wife, Rebecca Rigg and three children.

Aussie audiences first met Baker on E Street before he took on roles in both Home And Away and Heartbreak High.