Entertainment

How Much Do Actors Earn in Residuals? Breaking Down the Surprising Numbers on August 6, 2023 at 7:24 pm Us Weekly

Published

2 years ago

August 6, 2023

Many working actors earn residual paychecks anytime that a TV show they appeared on air in reruns.

Such sums even help stars such as Mandy Moore and Glen Powell pay their living expenses between jobs.

“Ours is a fickle industry and in my 20+ years of being a performer, my career has ebbed and flowed,” Moore, who has been acting since she was a teenager, wrote via Instagram in July 2023. “I’ve had very lean years where I couldn’t get a job and those are precisely the moments when in years past, actors could rely on residuals from their past work to help them get by.”

Powell, for his part, tweeted that same month that he used to survive on residuals “for years” when he was still attempting to “make it as a working actor.”

Many actors have since seen their residual check amounts dwindle with the onset of streaming platforms. Due to the staggeringly low amounts, members of the SAG-AFTRA acting union called out the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) for refusing to compromise on better terms regarding residual checks during contract negotiations. As a result, the SAG actors went on strike in July 2023 shortly after the Writers Guild of America stood up for similar causes.

Keep reading to find out how much the stars really make in residuals:

Mandy Moore

Milo Ventimiglia as Jack and Mandy Moore as Rebecca in ‘This Is Us.’ Ron Batzdorff/NBC

Moore has received 81-cent checks for streaming residuals of This Is Us, the Emmy-winning drama that she starred in between 2016 and 2022. “I was talking with my business manager who said he’s received a residual for a penny and two pennies,” she told The Hollywood Reporter on the picket lines in July 2023.

Robert Carradine

The Lizzie McGuire alum — who played Hilary Duff’s onscreen father on the Disney Channel series — once received a residual check in August 2019 for $0. While Carradine did not reveal what program the check was for, it had been sent by Walt Disney Pictures. (In addition to Lizzie, Carradine has starred in several other Disney projects.)

Carradine’s Lizzie McGuire costars have also seen similarly low residuals. Davida Williams, who played cheerleader Claire Miller, revealed on her Lizzie McGuire recap podcast in March 2023 that she usually gets a sum of $3.50 or less.

“It used to be, like, you’d have to take this huge stack of checks every month for residuals over to the bank and deposit them,” Jake Thomas (a.k.a. Lizzie’s little brother Matt) chimed in at the time. “But the huge stack would be like, ‘Oh, this is a massive stack. This is $8.’”

Kendrick Sampson

Sampson, who starred as Nathan on HBO’s Insecure between 2018 and 2021, received 56 residual checks in July 2023. However, they only totaled $86, which was not enough to cover his monthly bills, which he shared on Instagram.

William Stanford Davis

Davis, who is known for his role as Mr. Johnson on ABC’s Abbott Elementary, revealed via Instagram in July 2023 that he once got a check for 5 cents. “The postage, the paper, everything costs more than that. That’s what they think of us as actors,” he said at the time. “This is why we’re on strike for better wages, for better residuals [and] for a piece of the subscription.”

Kimiko Glenn

Kimiko Glenn as Brook Soso in ‘Orange in the New Black.’ JoJo Whilden/Netflix

Glenn, who played inmate Brook Soso on Orange Is The New Black, showed off a handful of residual paystubs via TikTok in July 2023. They only amounted to $27.

Constance Marie

Marie shared a copy of her paystubs via TikTok in July 2023, noting she’s gotten between 3 cents and 74 cents in residuals for repeat viewings of Freeform’s Switched at Birth. (Marie was one of the main characters on the show for five years, even sustaining an injury from excessive American Sign Language use.)

Heather Matarazzo

The Princess Diaries star clapped back at TikTok fans’ assertions that she was rich by showing her residuals. Several of the checks were less than 10 cents each.

Jana Schmieding

Jana Schmieding as Bev, Tamara Podemski as Teenie, Sarah Podemski as Rita, and Natalie Stadingcloud as Natalie on ‘Reservation Dogs.’ Shane Brown/FX

“To fans of my character Bev on Reservation Dogs, here’s a peek behind the IHS counter at what part of my residuals looks like for acting on a show that I love,” Schmieding tweeted in July 2023. “I pull in $.03 each quarter for UNLIMITED worldwide streams on fx/hulu/DISNEY.”

Brandee Evans

Evans, who is best known for her role as Mercedes Woodine on P-Valley, got three residual checks in July 2023 for $3.99, $4.67 and 1 cent, respectively.

Greer Grammer

Grammer, who played Lissa Miller on MTV’s Awkward, primarily gets her residual checks for episodes of the five-season sitcom. In August 2023, she opened up a handful of paystubs via TikTok.

“Awkward, ‘Are You there God, It’s Me, Jenna.’ Total gross: .80 cents. Oh, actually that’s what this [paystub] says but the check is actually for .50 cents,” she said, before revealing additional checks for $.63, $.60, $.30 and $.68.

Many working actors earn residual paychecks anytime that a TV show they appeared on air in reruns. Such sums even help stars such as Mandy Moore and Glen Powell pay their living expenses between jobs. “Ours is a fickle industry and in my 20+ years of being a performer, my career has ebbed and flowed,” Moore,

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Entertainment

Kim Breaks Her Silence After Kanye’s Controversial Grammys

Published

3 hours ago

February 6, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Two days after Kanye West and Bianca Censori’s headline-grabbing appearance at the 2025 Grammy Awards, Kim Kardashian has subtly responded by focusing on her family and meaningful causes. The reality TV star and entrepreneur took to Instagram to share her experience at the @15PercentPledge Annual Gala, effectively ignoring her ex-husband’s controversial antics.

Kardashian, 44, made a fashion statement of her own in a black, backless, full-length dress, presenting a stark contrast to Censori’s revealing Grammy outfit. In her post, she highlighted the organization’s support for Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs, demonstrating her commitment to important social causes.

While Kardashian didn’t directly address the Grammy incident, her actions spoke volumes. On the day of the awards show, she chose to spend quality time with her children. She took her 11-year-old daughter North to see the stage production of “Wicked” at the Hollywood Pantages Theater and later went to the movies with her 9-year-old son Saint. This deliberate focus on her family suggests Kardashian’s priority is shielding her children from the ongoing controversy surrounding their father.

Sources close to Kardashian reveal that she is “disgusted and alarmed” by West’s recent behavior, particularly concerning its potential impact on their children. The mother of four is reportedly worried about the example being set for North, who “idolizes her dad,” and is concerned about potential comments from their son Saint’s friends[3].

Kardashian’s approach to co-parenting amid the controversy has been cautious and protective. She has reportedly set strict rules for Censori’s interactions with her children, including bans on nudity and limitations on social media access. These guidelines aim to maintain consistency in the children’s routines and upbringing, regardless of which parent they are with.

As the situation continues to unfold, Kardashian remains focused on her children’s best interests, navigating the challenges of co-parenting in the public eye with grace and determination. Her recent actions serve as a testament to her commitment to her family, even in the face of ongoing controversy and media scrutiny.

Bolanle Media covers a wide range of topics, including film, technology, and culture. Our team creates easy-to-understand articles and news pieces that keep readers informed about the latest trends and events. If you’re looking for press coverage or want to share your story with a wider audience, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us today to discuss how we can help bring your news to life

Entertainment

Biden Signs with Top Talent Agency CAA

Published

1 day ago

February 5, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Former President Joe Biden has signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA), a major Hollywood talent agency, just two weeks after leaving the White House. This move marks a reunion for Biden with CAA, which previously represented him from 2017 to 2020.

Key Details

CAA co-chairman Richard Lovett praised Biden, calling him “one of America’s most respected and influential voices in national and global affairs”. Lovett also highlighted Biden’s “lifelong commitment to public service” as one of “unity, optimism, dignity, and possibility”.

During his previous stint with CAA, Biden achieved several notable accomplishments:

Published his memoir “Promise Me, Dad,” which became a New York Times bestseller
Launched the “American Promise” book tour, selling over 85,000 tickets nationwide
The book tour is believed to have inspired his eventual run for the presidency

Potential Opportunities

At 82 years old, Biden has kept a relatively low profile regarding his post-presidency plans. However, his signing with CAA suggests he may be exploring various opportunities, such as:

Public speaking engagements
Writing projects
Media appearances

CAA’s Star-Studded Roster

CAA represents a wide range of high-profile clients, including:

Hollywood actors like Meryl Streep
Lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart
Sports stars such as Shohei Ohtani

Notably, CAA also represents former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s production company, Higher Ground.

Looking Ahead

While Biden’s specific plans remain unclear, he has previously stated, “I’m not going to be out of sight or out of mind”. His partnership with CAA may provide a platform for him to continue influencing national and global affairs, as well as sharing his experiences and insights from his long career in public service.

As Biden joins the ranks of former presidents exploring post-White House opportunities, his association with CAA positions him to potentially engage in various projects that could shape his legacy and contribute to public discourse on important issues.

Entertainment

What Film Producers Really Do

Published

1 day ago

February 5, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

When the credits roll and audiences marvel at a spectacular film, few realize the incredible journey that brought that story to life. At the heart of this journey is the film producer – a professional who is part creative visionary, part business strategist, and entirely passionate about storytelling.

Film producers are essentially the architects of cinema, transforming a simple idea into a fully realized motion picture. Their work begins long before actors step in front of cameras, starting with discovering compelling stories and securing the rights to bring them to screen. Imagine a producer as a talent scout with an incredible eye for potential, constantly searching for narratives that could captivate global audiences.

The producer’s role is remarkably complex and multifaceted. They’re responsible for assembling the creative team, which means finding the perfect director, negotiating with screenwriters, and making critical casting decisions. But their job isn’t just about creative choices – they’re also financial strategists who must secure funding, manage budgets, and ensure the project remains economically viable.

During actual film production, producers become problem-solvers extraordinaire. They navigate countless challenges, from unexpected location issues to creative disagreements, always keeping the project moving forward. They’re the bridge between artistic vision and practical execution, making sure the director’s creative goals align with financial realities.

Post-production is another critical phase where producers shine. They oversee editing, potentially request additional scenes, and prepare the film for distribution. Their networking skills become crucial as they negotiate with studios, potential distributors, and international markets to ensure the film reaches its intended audience.

What makes a great producer isn’t just technical skill, but a unique blend of creativity, business acumen, and relentless passion. They must understand storytelling deeply while simultaneously managing complex logistical and financial challenges. It’s a role that requires intuition, strategic thinking, and an unwavering commitment to bringing remarkable stories to life.

While actors and directors often receive the spotlight, film producers are the true unsung heroes of cinema. They are the magical professionals who transform abstract ideas into the movies we love, cherish, and remember. Their work is a delicate dance of creativity, strategy, and pure cinematic magic.