Working Actors Are Sharing What They Actually Make From Residuals In Light Of SAG-AFTRA Strike, And It's Shocking

Working actors are taking to social media to share what they really make amid the SAG-AFTRA strike, and it’s incredibly shocking.

It’s easy to assume that any actor or writer from some of the biggest TV shows and movies is raking in millions, but that is far from the truth, as reflected in this New Yorker story about the actors from Netflix's Orange Is the New Black.

Actors Alysia Reiner, Beth Dover, Emma Myles, Diane Guerrero, Taryn Manning, Lea DeLaria, and Kimiko Glenn told the publication that despite the Netflix show’s success, many had to keep their day jobs because of pay disparities and receiving minimum residuals.

In 2020, Kimiko shared a TikTok that revealed she received only $27.30 in overseas royalties, a meager compensation confirmed by her co-stars Matt McGorry and Beth, that sparked a conversation around the pay disparities for actors on streamable content.

And now, the unfair residuals working actors receive are one of the many harsh realities that led to the SAG-AFRTRA strike.

And yes, SAG-AFTRA is joining the Writer’s Guild of America, who’s been on strike since May. It's the first time both unions have been on strike together in over 40 years.

Here’s what some working actors have to say (many in response to Disney CEO Bob Iger’s controversial statements) about how much they’re actually making from their residuals:

And here’s a hint — it’s a very unreasonable number.

Sean Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) revealed to the Hollywood Reporter that he received almost zero residuals from one of the most popular shows on Netflix. “I was on a television show called Gilmore Girls for a long time that has brought in massive profits for Netflix. It has been one of their most popular shows for a very long time, over a decade. It gets streamed over and over and over again, and I see almost none of the revenue that comes into that,” he said.

Brock Powell, a voice actor for popular animation, video games, and anime, shared he only made a “grand total” of $58.49 for 48 episodes of a Disney show produced during the early pandemic. Even more shocking, Brock was once “paid” a negative penny for an entire episode that aired back.

Twitter: @brocktocks

Constance Marie showed that streamers are still showing her show, Switched At Birth. Although the series remains popular, she only receives two, three, or no cents for those episodes viewed. "They're still making money, but I cannot make a living and pay rent and pay my insurance off of these residuals," she said, referring to the streaming companies.

Heather Matarazzo responded to a TikTok user who questioned, "What are you elites doing for the struggling Americans that contributed to your wealth?" Her response showed the "elite numbers" of residuals that equaled six to nine cents per episode.

Luke Cook responded to another TikTok critic who assumed it was "millionaires striking to be even bigger millionaires." Luke described that he was on a billboard for Dollface last year, receiving "zero" dollars for his likeness, and the amount he was paid for the show "was not much better." He received $7,500 per episode before its spent on taxes, paying out managers and agents, while series regulars made upwards of $100,000 per episode.

Via tiktok.com

Kamil McFadden, a Disney actor who starred in K.C. Undercover and other shows, shared a video of all the residuals he made from his appearances which only netted $2.77. Actor Kellee Stewart shared she once made 13 cents from 5 separate payments for her work.

Twitter: @Kamil_McFadden

Stephen Glickman from Nickelodeon’s Big Time Rushrevealed he made zero in residuals from all the times the show was played on Netflix for two years before moving to Paramount+.

Twitter: @StephenGlickman

Desmond Chiam shared he made $2,000 (3 times that amount in residuals) from Bones on network television, but for any streaming production, he made “fractions of [his] pay.”

Twitter: @deschiam

Derek Russo, who was Hunter U-92 for the first episode of Marvel’s Loki on Disney+, grossed less than $1,000 in residuals despite the series being one of the most-viewed shows on the streamer.

Twitter: @DRusso97

Jack Bensinger from Stephen Colbert Presents Tooning Out The News joked that he felt like he was “OVERpaid” for seven episodes of residuals totaling a whopping 19 cents.

Twitter: @JackBensinger

Armen Taylor, an actor who lent his voice to popular animation, received “a year’s worth of residuals for four episodes of a made-for-streaming show" that totaled 31 cents.

Twitter: @ArmenTaylor

Kylie Sparks shared they were in one of Netflix’s “most loved series this season,” and they received zero dollars in residuals in addition to being paid a 10th of their guest star quote.

Twitter: @kyliesparks

Actor Kris Lofton shared a photo of a SAG-AFTRA direct deposit showing he only made $31.86 in residuals for an entire month.

Twitter: @RealKrisDLofton

Working actors sharing their residuals is eye-opening. Not every performer is earning the big numbers like the handful of A-Listers. Many spend their careers "surviving" off residuals, even before they receive their big break, as Glen Powell (Top Gun: Maverick) illustrated in this tweet.

For more information on what TV and movies will be affected and how you can support the strikes — check out this article here.