In light of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, working actors are taking to social media to reveal the startling truth about their residual earnings.
While it’s commonly assumed that actors and writers associated with major TV shows and movies are making millions, the reality is far from glamorous. The New Yorker recently highlighted the experiences of actors from Netflix’s hit series Orange Is the New Black, including Alysia Reiner, Beth Dover, Emma Myles, Diane Guerrero, Taryn Manning, Lea DeLaria, and Kimiko Glenn. Despite the show’s success, many were forced to keep their day jobs due to pay disparities and minimal residuals.
Kimiko Glenn’s TikTok video in 2020 shed light on the issue, as she shared that she received a paltry sum of $27.30 in overseas royalties. This revelation sparked a conversation about the pay gaps actors face in streaming content, a contributing factor to the current SAG-AFTRA strike.
Interestingly, SAG-AFTRA is now uniting with the Writer’s Guild of America, marking the first joint strike of both unions in over 40 years, as they collectively fight against unjust residuals and other challenges.
Prominent working actors have come forward to expose the meager amounts they receive from residuals, particularly in response to controversial statements made by Disney CEO Bob Iger. Sean Gunn, known for his role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, revealed to the Hollywood Reporter that he received almost no residuals from one of Netflix’s most popular shows, Gilmore Girls. Despite the series’ enduring popularity and consistent streaming, Gunn saw very little revenue.
Brock Powell, a well-known voice actor in animation, video games, and anime, shared that he only earned a mere $58.49 for 48 episodes of a Disney show produced early during the pandemic. Even more astounding, Powell once received a negative payment of one cent for an entire aired episode.
Constance Marie, whose show Switched at Birth continues to be streamed, lamented that although the series remains popular, she only receives two to three cents, or sometimes no compensation, for each episode viewed. This situation poses significant challenges for actors who struggle to make a living, pay rent, and cover insurance solely based on these residuals.
Actress Heather Matarazzo responded to a TikTok user’s inquiry about what the “elite” actors are doing to support struggling Americans. She shared that her residuals amounted to six to nine cents per episode.
Luke Cook, known for his Dollface role, addressed a TikTok critic’s assumption that the striking actors were seeking more wealth. Cook revealed that despite his likeness appearing on a billboard for the show, he received no compensation. The amount he was paid per episode could be better, totaling $7,500 before accounting for taxes, manager fees, and agent commissions. Series regulars earned upwards of $100,000 per episode.
Kamil McFadden, a Disney actor who starred in K.C. Undercover, shared a video revealing that his residuals from appearances amounted to a mere $2.77. Actress Kellee Stewart also disclosed that she once received 13 cents from five separate payments for her work.
Stephen Glickman from Nickelodeon’s Big Time Rush revealed that he earned no residuals despite the show being streamed on Netflix for two years before moving to Paramount+.
Desmond Chiam disclosed that he received only fractions of his regular pay for any streaming production, starkly contrasting the $2,000 (triple that amount in residuals) he earned from his work on Bones for network television.
Derek Russo, who portrayed Hunter U-92 in the first episode of Marvel’s Loki on Disney+, made less than $1,000 in residuals, despite the series being one of the streamer’s most-viewed shows.
Jack Bensinger, a cast member of Stephen Colbert Presents Tooning Out The News, humorously expressed feeling “overpaid” for receiving 19 cents in residuals for seven episodes.
Armen Taylor, a voice actor in popular animation, received a mere 31 cents, which equated to a year’s worth of residuals for four episodes of a made-for-streaming show.
Kylie Sparks, who appeared in one of Netflix’s highly acclaimed series, received no residuals and was paid only a fraction of their guest star quote.
Actor Kris Lofton shared a photo of his SAG-AFTRA direct deposit, revealing a meager $31.86 in residuals for an entire month of work.
These candid revelations by working actors provide a glimpse into the harsh reality that not all performers earn substantial incomes like a select few A-listers. As Glen Powell emphasized in a tweet, many rely on residuals throughout their careers, even before achieving their big break.
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