Abbott Elementary star William Stanford Davis has joined the chorus of actors speaking out about the issue of minuscule residual payments in the age of streaming. In a video posted on TikTok and Twitter, Davis revealed real residual checks he received as a working actor – and they were worth just 3 cents and 5 cents each.
Showing the 3-cent check to the camera, Davis said, I want to give you an example of what a residual check looks like. I showed this to my brother, and he fell on the floor laughing. It ain’t f-king funny. Although he didn’t disclose the name of the project that resulted in the small check, Davis expressed his solidarity with the writers and emphasized that actors are on strike until their demands for better wages, residuals, and a share of subscriptions are met.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Other actors have also shared their shocking residual checks in recent days. Brandee Evans, star of P-Valley, received a residual check for just 1 cent, despite appearing in 17 of the 18 episodes of the Starz series. Kimiko Glenn, known for her role in Orange is the New Black, was paid a mere $27.30 for her work in 44 episodes. Mandy Moore, who portrays the matriarch in This Is Us, lamented her tiny, like 81-cent checks in an Instagram post, reflecting on the unpredictable nature of the industry.
Residual payments have long been a bone of contention for actors. In the past, when actors couldn’t secure new roles, they relied on residuals from their previous work to make ends meet. However, with the rise of streaming platforms, the amount actors receive in residuals has significantly decreased, leading to frustration and calls for change.
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strike that began earlier this month aims to address these issues and fight for fair compensation in the streaming era. Actors like Davis are making their voices heard, shedding light on the financial struggles they face despite their years of experience and contributions to the entertainment industry.
It remains to be seen how negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and producers will unfold. As actors continue to share their stories and support the strike, the hope is for a more equitable system that recognizes and values their hard work. Only time will tell if their collective efforts will lead to meaningful change in the industry.
