# Actors rolling in residuals bucks from long-running roles on TV **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted\ **Created:** [September 23, 2021, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-rolling-in-residuals-bucks-from-long-running-roles-on-tv/951192 "2021-09-23T13:50:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-rolling-in-residuals-bucks-from-long-running-roles-on-tv/951192/21 "2021-09-23T19:28:16Z")
I would think the actors really rolling in residual bucks are those that nabbed producer credits as well. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-rolling-in-residuals-bucks-from-long-running-roles-on-tv/951192/22 "2021-09-23T20:05:19Z")
The folks from Gilligan’s Island (those poor people) apparently had contracts that didn’t compensate them for reruns, and the Brady kids got only compensation for the first 10 rerunnings of their episodes. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-rolling-in-residuals-bucks-from-long-running-roles-on-tv/951192/23 "2021-09-23T20:14:27Z")
Richard Belzer: 447 regular appearances – split between two shows – as John Munch. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-rolling-in-residuals-bucks-from-long-running-roles-on-tv/951192/24 "2021-09-23T20:41:59Z")
Apparently there used to be a bar in LA where you could trade a residuals check worth less than $1 for a drink. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-rolling-in-residuals-bucks-from-long-running-roles-on-tv/951192/25 "2021-09-23T20:42:38Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > David Boreanaz I was thinking about Boreanaz, too. I also considered Scott Bakula, who had the lead role in _Quantum Leap_, _Star Trek: Voyager,_ and _NCIS: New Orleans_. But, I’m not sure how often Quantum Leap or Enterprise are shown in re-runs these days (though I suspect that Enterprise may be available streaming from Paramount). ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-rolling-in-residuals-bucks-from-long-running-roles-on-tv/951192/26 "2021-09-23T20:54:23Z")
For voice actors---- Billy West has to be up there: with Futurama, Ren &Stimpy, Doug, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, and The Powerpuff Girls among others. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-rolling-in-residuals-bucks-from-long-running-roles-on-tv/951192/27 "2021-09-23T21:01:16Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > I can’t help but think of that _Seinfeld_ episode where Jerry was getting multiple residule checks for tiny amounts of money because some short clip of him got used in the credits of some Japanese TV show. Surely that isn’t how it actually works in real life. I would assume in reality they would get something like a monthly check (or more likely direct deposit nowadays) that covers all their residuals for that month. Surely each airing doesn’t literally generate an individual check. SAG has some kind of central office that coordinates residuals for their members, and the residuals go to your agent who takes a cut and then sends the rest to you. As [mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis) said, it’s been in the standard SAG contract since the early 90s at least, and you don’t have to be a big name to get it. (Big names might negotiate bigger residuals.) If you work non-union jobs it might be a different story. Residual amounts decline with the number of showings, and depend on the market the show runs in. And commercial work pays residuals also, and is often better since commercials run a lot more frequently than shows. SAG is really good at this. My daughter was a SAG extra on a soap once, and got a check of two cents when it ran in Italy. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-rolling-in-residuals-bucks-from-long-running-roles-on-tv/951192/28 "2021-09-23T21:23:26Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > Apparently there used to be a bar in LA where you could trade a residuals check worth less than $1 for a drink. [Residuals Tavern in Studio City](https://residualstavern.com/about), featured in the series “Barry”. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-rolling-in-residuals-bucks-from-long-running-roles-on-tv/951192/29 "2021-09-23T21:58:51Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > > [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > > > David Boreanaz > > I was thinking about Boreanaz, too. > > I also considered Scott Bakula, who had the lead role in _Quantum Leap_, _Star Trek: Voyager,_ and _NCIS: New Orleans_. But, I’m not sure how often Quantum Leap or Enterprise are shown in re-runs these days (though I suspect that Enterprise may be available streaming from Paramount). _Enterprise_ is broadcast six nights a week on the Heroes and Icons channel as part of their _Star Trek_ bloc. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-rolling-in-residuals-bucks-from-long-running-roles-on-tv/951192/30 "2021-09-23T23:10:59Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > _Enterprise_ is broadcast six nights a week on the Heroes and Icons channel as part of their _Star Trek_ bloc. Now that you mention that, I do recall seeing it on there not too long ago. I had looked on IMDB, and they indicated no upcoming broadcasts of the show (but I now suspect that they don’t list shows on H&I). ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-rolling-in-residuals-bucks-from-long-running-roles-on-tv/951192/31 "2021-09-23T23:23:04Z")
Geoffrey Ownes was Alvin on the Cosby Show. The residuals he got for that show, which was constantly in reruns, kept him solvent while he continued to pursue acting gigs. After Bill Cosby was exposed as a monster, the show was pulled and Owens residuals dropped to zero. It hurt him massively, making him another person hurt by Bill Cosby. He took a job at Trader Joe’s to make ends meet between acting gigs, which were hard to come by. Landing a recurring role on a show is massive for actors. Even Malcolm Jamal Warner commented at one point how financially painful it was to have the Cosby show totally removed from TV. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-rolling-in-residuals-bucks-from-long-running-roles-on-tv/951192/32 "2021-09-23T23:48:00Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Cosby show totally removed from TV. AFAIK, it’s returned to TV on some Afrocentric channel. I’ve seen it in the cable guide recently. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-rolling-in-residuals-bucks-from-long-running-roles-on-tv/951192/33 "2021-09-23T23:50:54Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > But, I’m not sure how often Quantum Leap or Enterprise are shown in re-runs these days (though I suspect that Enterprise may be available streaming from Paramount). Quantum Leap is shown pretty regularly (on the SyFy channel, I think) > [@Skywatcher](#): > > AFAIK, it’s returned to TV on some Afrocentric channel. I’ve seen it in the cable guide recently. Yes, I’ve seen it in the listings within the last few weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-rolling-in-residuals-bucks-from-long-running-roles-on-tv/951192/34 "2021-09-24T00:20:41Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > I can’t help but think of that _Seinfeld_ episode where Jerry was getting multiple residule checks for tiny amounts of money because some short clip of him got used in the credits of some Japanese TV show. Surely that isn’t how it actually works in real life. My cousin was an actor in the Civil War movie _Gods and Generals_ and he still occasionally gets checks for five cents. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-rolling-in-residuals-bucks-from-long-running-roles-on-tv/951192/35 "2021-09-24T00:26:28Z")
Emo Phillips shows his residual checks for UHF sometimes. They are $1 or so sometimes. He was barely in it. ---
**Author:** ![Bootb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-rolling-in-residuals-bucks-from-long-running-roles-on-tv/951192/36 "2021-09-24T00:42:37Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > They must be rolling in for William Shatner. Star Trek, T. J. Hooker, Rescue 911, Boston Legal, a few reality series on the History Channel. TV has changed a LOT in the last 50 years. Shatner would make Star Trek money from conventions and possibly merchandise, but I would be extremely surprised if he makes any money from the show itself. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-rolling-in-residuals-bucks-from-long-running-roles-on-tv/951192/37 "2021-09-24T00:46:59Z")
> [@Bootb](#): > > Shatner would make Star Trek money from conventions and possibly merchandise, but I would be extremely surprised if he makes any money from the show itself. Likely so. He might well make more off of residuals from the films. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47774/32.png) [@epbrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-rolling-in-residuals-bucks-from-long-running-roles-on-tv/951192/38 "2021-09-24T11:25:23Z")
Huh, I was expecting some mention of Bob Newhart, who had three series (_The Bob Newhart Show_, _Newhart_, and the short-lived _Bob_). Tim Allen had lengthy runs with a couple of shows. People only remember the _Friends_ gang from their first show, but Kudrow, Cox and LeBlanc have all had successful series since. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-rolling-in-residuals-bucks-from-long-running-roles-on-tv/951192/39 "2021-09-24T15:44:16Z")
According to various _Star Trek_ histories, Shatner actually owned a piece of the show, so he didn’t have to worry about residuals. I do recall some sort or reunion with the cast of _Gilligan’s Island_ where they made it clear their residuals had ended years earlier. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-rolling-in-residuals-bucks-from-long-running-roles-on-tv/951192/40 "2021-09-24T15:56:45Z")
Ted Danson Still makes about $5 million per year from _Cheers_ reruns. Plus Becker (6 seasons), The Good Place, and CSI. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-rolling-in-residuals-bucks-from-long-running-roles-on-tv/951192.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-rolling-in-residuals-bucks-from-long-running-roles-on-tv/951192.md?page=3)