scorecard'Matilda' star Mara Wilson, 'Orange Is the New Black' cast member Kimiko Glenn, and more actors are revealing how little money they make as the SAG-AFTRA strike rolls on
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'Matilda' star Mara Wilson, 'Orange Is the New Black' cast member Kimiko Glenn, and more actors are revealing how little money they make as the SAG-AFTRA strike rolls on

Ayomikun Adekaiyero   

'Matilda' star Mara Wilson, 'Orange Is the New Black' cast member Kimiko Glenn, and more actors are revealing how little money they make as the SAG-AFTRA strike rolls on
SAG-AFTRA union members went on strike Friday.CHRIS DELMAS/Getty Images
  • SAG-AFTRA actors have stopped working on TV and film productions following the decision to strike.
  • One of the reasons the actors are striking is to get fairer compensation for their work.

Hollywood actors in the SAG-AFTRA union are opening up about the lack of money they have received from appearing in hit TV shows and movies, either upfront, or in residuals.

Residuals are royalties earned when a TV show or movie is screened again after its initial release. Per SAG-AFTRA, "For TV work, residuals begin once a show starts reairing or is released to video/DVD, pay television, broadcast TV, basic cable, or new media. For film work, residuals begin once the movie appears on video/DVD, basic cable and free or pay television, or new media." (New media in this context means streaming.)

Here is what the likes of "Matilda" star Mara Wilson, Sean Gunn, and more have said.

Former child star Mara Wilson said she hasn't "made enough to qualify for SAG-AFTRA healthcare" since she started acting again as an adult.

Former child star Mara Wilson said she hasn
Mara Wilson is best known for starring in "Matilda" as a child.      Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Shorty Awards

Mara Wilson began acting as a child, starring in hit movies like "Matilda," "Miracle on 34th Street," and "Mrs. Doubtfire." In 2000, she took a break from acting but returned as an adult, guest starring in shows like "Bojack Horseman" and "Big Hero 6: The Series."

Last week, Wilson tweeted that despite acting in these shows, she has not made enough "to qualify for SAG-AFTRA healthcare."

Numerous actors have said that the minimum an actor must earn to qualify is $26,000 a year.

"I haven't acted much as an adult, but I WAS on a recurring character on one of the most critically acclaimed animated shows of all time, as well playing an actual Disney villain," Wilson wrote. "But thanks to streaming, I have never once made enough to qualify for SAG-AFTRA healthcare."

Kimiko Glenn reshared a TikTok video from 2020 showing her meager residuals for "Orange Is the New Black."

Kimiko Glenn reshared a TikTok video from 2020 showing her meager residuals for "Orange Is the New Black."
Kimiko Glenn was a recurring actor on the show, appearing in 44 episodes of "Orange Is the New Black."      Matt Winkelmeyer/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images

Last week, The New Yorker published an article about how little some of the cast members of "Orange Is the New Black" were paid — despite appearing on the Emmy award-winning hit Netflix show.

The article referenced a TikTok video Glenn first posted in 2020. In the video, Glenn showed a letter notifying her of all the residuals she received from appearing in 44 episodes of "OITNB." The total was $27.37.

The article also mentioned that Emma Myles, another actor on the show, was paid under $900 for a day of filming.

However, in an Instagram post, Glenn said that half of that pay would not actually go to the actors.

"We don't make $900/day. $900 per day of shooting. That happened about twice every two weeks. So take away taxes, commissions – that nets you about $450 for that one day of shooting," Glenn wrote. "And assuming you work four days a month – we're talking $1800 for a months work, and you live in New York City. That doesn't make rent."

She continued: "Also, once we started getting paid a little more, we started getting taxed as if we made that episodic rate in one day, often taking away 55% of our paycheck. 20% for agent/manager commissions. Some people have lawyers (5%), some people had to pay publicists ($2-6k/month no guarantee for any press coverage). There's a lot of misplaced outrage in these comments. $900 for one day of shooting is epically low for someone who is recurring on a hit television show, where they are contractually obligated to stay available 6 months out of the year."

"OITNB" star Matt McGorry also said he had to have a day job while filming the show.

"OITNB" star Matt McGorry also said he had to have a day job while filming the show.
Matt McGorry played a corrections officer on the show.      Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

In response to Glenn's video, Matt McGorry commented, according to the New Yorker: "Exaccctttlllyyy. I kept my day job the entire time I was on the show because it paid better than the mega-hit TV show we were on."

McGorry starred in 25 episodes of the hit show.

Another "OITNB" star, Beth Dover, said it cost her more to work on seasons three and four than what she was paid.

Another "OITNB" star, Beth Dover, said it cost her more to work on seasons three and four than what she was paid.
Beth Dover played a manager taking over the prison.      Tommaso Boddi / Getty Images for SCRAP Film LLC

Beth Dover also responded to Glenn's TikTok video, per the New Yorker: "It actually COST me money to be in season 3 and 4 since I was cast local hire and had to fly myself out, etc. But I was so excited for the opportunity to be on a show I loved so I took the hit. Its maddening."

Dover was in 36 episodes of "OITNB."

Dover told the New Yorker that the cast "have not been fairly compensated by any stretch of the imagination."

"They're telling us, 'Oh, we can't pay you this much, because we're pinching pennies,'" she said. "But then Netflix is telling their shareholders that they're making more than they've ever made."

Emma Myles said her residuals from "OITNB" are around $20, while she receives $600 a year from the network show "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

Emma Myles said her residuals from "OITNB" are around $20, while she receives $600 a year from the network show "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."
Emma Myles starred in "OITNB" as a prisoner called Leanne Taylor.      Arturo Holmes / Getty Images

Myles told the New Yorker that while she gets around $600 a year in residuals from guest spots on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," she only received around $20 for "OITNB" this year, despite appearing in 54 episodes.

Myles also said she had to work for a financial firm while filming the show, acting in live simulations for aspiring financial planners.

She recalled one financial planner told her over the phone: "You sound exactly like the Amish meth head on 'Orange Is the New Black.' Has anyone ever told you that?"

Sean Gunn slammed Netflix for the lack of residuals he has received following the success of "Gilmore Girls" on the platform.

Sean Gunn slammed Netflix for the lack of residuals he has received following the success of "Gilmore Girls" on the platform.
Sean Gunn starred as Kirk for all seven seasons of the hit show.      Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Sean Gunn slammed Netflix last week for the lack of residuals he has received for his role in the show as the series continues to be a success on the streamer.

Gunn told The Hollywood Reporter on the first day of the SAG-AFTRA strike: "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."

While Warner Bros., which produced the show and licensed it to Netflix, is responsible for residual payments to those who qualify, Gunn clarified on Twitter that he still thinks the cast should get a "share" of the "millions of dollars in profits" the streamer has made from the show.

Stephen Kramer Glickman, who played series regular Gustavo on "Big Time Rush," said he received no residuals while the show was on Netflix and Paramount+.

Stephen Kramer Glickman, who played series regular Gustavo on "Big Time Rush," said he received no residuals while the show was on Netflix and Paramount+.
Stephen Kramer Glickman starred in 73 episodes of the series.      Kayla Oaddams / WireImage

"Big Time Rush" star Stephen Kramer Glickman tweeted that he has received no residuals from the show's streaming deals with Netflix and Paramount+.

"For those of you trying to understand the SAG strike…here is a little info for you. BIG TIME RUSH played on Netflix for two years and then got moved to Paramount +," Glickman wrote. "Any guesses on how much I was paid by Netflix and Paramount + in residuals? I'll give you a hint. It's $0."

Constance Marie also shared what she gets paid in residuals for "Switched at Birth."

Constance Marie also shared what she gets paid in residuals for "Switched at Birth."
Constance Marie starred in 104 episodes of the show.      Rodin Eckenroth / Getty Images

Constance Marie posted a video on TikTok in which she said that the industry needs to update the residuals system to fit the streaming model so that actors can get paid enough to sustain a living.

Marie then shared part of her own residuals from "Switched At Birth," which she starred in across 104 episodes.

"I did that show for five years. Great cast. Great writing. So the studio is still showing my show, my work, my likeness, and this is what I get paid for it," she said in the video. "3 cents, 4 cents, 74 cents."

Marie did not give a full total but added: "I can't make a living. They're still making money but I can't make a living and pay my rent and pay my insurance off of these residuals."

Kamil McFadden, one of the main actors on "K.C. Undercover," said he only earned $2.77 in residuals recently.

Kamil McFadden, one of the main actors on "K.C. Undercover," said he only earned $2.77 in residuals recently.
Kamil McFadden starred in every episode of the show, which lasted three seasons.      Paras Griffin / Getty Images for Sony Pictures

Kamil McFadden, one of the lead actors on Disney Channel's "K.C. Undercover" tweeted a video showing that he in fact made minus figures in residuals from some episodes of the hit show.

"Wanna see something crazy? Y'all ever seen negative amounts on your residuals? The full video is almost two minutes long and I'm only netting $2.77. The math ain't mathing," he wrote in the tweet.

Luke Cook said he was paid $7,500 per episode of "Dollface," before taxes and commissions.

Luke Cook said he was paid $7,500 per episode of "Dollface," before taxes and commissions.
Luke Cook appeared in four episodes of season two as a character called Fender.      Amanda Edwards / WireImage

Last week, "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" star Luke Cook responded to a complaint on TikTok that the strike was just "millionaires striking to be even bigger millionaires."

Cook said that 95% of union members were not big stars making millions of dollars and the strike was for those people to be able to afford a livable wage.

Cook said in the video that while appearing on Hulu's "Dollface," he was paid $7,500 an episode, which required "two weeks of work" per episode.

"Then it's taxed. Then a manager takes 10%, an agent takes 10%, and a lawyer takes 5%," he added. "Now, I am one rung below a series regular, who is making maybe $100,000 per episode. They're very wealthy and they're worth it, too. They're usually very talented people."

"I shouldn't have to have two side jobs just in order to survive," Cook continued.

"Star Trek: Picard" star Mica Burton said that she was paid almost the same fee that her father LeVar Burton got for "Roots" in 1977.

"Star Trek: Picard" star Mica Burton said that she was paid almost the same fee that her father LeVar Burton got for "Roots" in 1977.
Burton starred in five episodes of the latest season of "Star Trek: Picard."      Albert L. Ortega / Getty Images

Mica Burton, the daughter of "Star Trek" star LeVar Burton, tweeted about how little she got paid when she appeared in five episodes of "Star Trek: Picard" earlier this year.

In response to a thread regarding misconceptions about the union, Mica wrote: "Please read this thread. I said before, there is no way I could survive as a working actor if I didn't have my 100 other side hustles. Yes, I was on Star Trek. I also do not qualify for SAG health insurance and was paid almost the same fee my dad was paid for Roots back in 1977."

Heather Matarazzo shut down a TikTok commenter for calling her part of the elite by showing some of her residuals.

Heather Matarazzo shut down a TikTok commenter for calling her part of the elite by showing some of her residuals.
Heather Matarazzo is known for movies like "Scream" and "The Princess Diaries."      Jason LaVeris/ Getty

In her latest TikTok video, Heather Matarazzo shared a screenshot showing some of her recent residuals, which included earning just 6 cents and 9 cents for certain projects.

"Really? Really?" she said in the video. "Do those look like elite numbers? I am a working-class actor, sir, as are the majority of the actors that are in the fucking union."

Desmond Chiam said that his residuals for streaming shows are a "fraction" of what he gets paid for the network show "Bones."

Desmond Chiam said that his residuals for streaming shows are a "fraction" of what he gets paid for the network show "Bones."
Desmond Chiam has appeared in "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" and "Partner Track" in recent years.      JC Olivera / Getty Images for Prime Video

Desmond Chiam only appeared in one episode of "Bones," however, he tweeted last week that he was paid a lot more for a nonspeaking role on that show than most of the streaming shows that he has worked on.

"Let me put it this way: my first gig was a non speaking, $2k role on Bones, a network show, and in residuals I'd say I've made close to 3x that amount," he wrote. "On any other streaming gig I've made fractions of my pay. We're talking a few hundred, maybe."

Chiam has had recurring roles in popular Disney+, Amazon Prime and Netflix shows like "Partner Track," "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," and "With Love."

Kendrick Sampson said he has only received $86 from 50 residual checks this year.

Kendrick Sampson said he has only received $86 from 50 residual checks this year.
Kendrick Sampson posing on the red carpet during the premiere of "NOPE."      Unique Nicole/WireImage

Kendrick Sampson has appeared on several hit shows such as "The Vampire Diaries," "Insecure," "The Flash," "How to Get Away with Murder," and "Supernatural."

However, in a post on the Threads app, which he later shared on his Instagram, Sampson said that he has received $86 dollars from 50 of his latest residual checks.

"Story time: Goin through a tough time like so many people in our industry and everywhere right now," he wrote in the post. "Last week, I get news that I've received 56 residual checks. I prayed that these are HEALTHY checks to get me through this time. But lo and behold - 50 (yes FIFTY! FIVE, ZERO) checks into counting, I had to take a break because… the total was $86. This is that bullshit."

He added: "And I KNOW people are struggling much more than me! Shit has to change - This is why we strike."

Brock Powell was once paid a "negative penny" for one of his shows.

Brock Powell was once paid a "negative penny" for one of his shows.
Brock Powell is a popular voice actor on shows like "Milo Murphy's Law" and "Mickey Mouse Funhouse."      Irvin Rivera / Getty Images for IMDb

Ahead of the strike, Disney CEO Bob Iger said on CNBC's "Squawk Box" that striking actors and writers' demands are "not realistic."

In response, Brock Powell, who has been a voice actor on numerous Disney shows, tweeted that he was paid $53.49 in residuals for appearing in 48 episodes of a Disney show.

"THIS is my grand total for 48 episode airings for a show produced during the early pandemic. We kept the industry going when no other productions could," Powell wrote. "Animation actors, writers and artists deserve a fair share & better treatment."

He added a day later: "Update: while we're talking about residuals for streaming/physical media. Found out I was 'paid' a NEGATIVE PENNY on a check… taking the measly one cent I was previously given for a full episode airing BACK."

Kylie Sparks, who appeared on the latest season of "I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson," said they will receive nothing in residuals from the show.

Kylie Sparks, who appeared on the latest season of "I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson," said they will receive nothing in residuals from the show.
Kylie Sparks appeared in one episode of season three.      gotpap / Bauer-Griffin / GC Images

Kylie Sparks also responded to Iger's comments about the actors' strike.

In their response, they wrote: "I'm on one of Netflix's most loved series this season and I will receive zero dollars in residuals and I was paid a tenth of my guest star quote that didn't even cover my rent, Bob, so GFY."

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