Here’s How Much Money Actors Get Paid For Their Reruns
Published -
- May 11, 2018
- 2:00 pm
Being an actor can be a very lucrative line of work.
The stars of long-running, mega-hit TV shows can bring home $1 million an episode. Even better: actors get residual paychecks whenever their movie or TV show gets aired (or re-aired) on TV, gets sold to a streaming service like Netflix, is re-released to movie theaters, or even shown on an airplane. That means they get paid again even though they didn’t do anything! Production companies use a complicated formula to determine how much actors get paid, and some get more than others. Here are some television actors who earn a very substantial living just off the reruns of their old work…
Cast of Friends | 0:36
Ricky Gervais | 1:41
Ray Romano | 2:23
Jerry Seinfeld | 3:00
Robert Pine | 3:52
Which actors have earned substantial profits from their reruns, such as Ed O’Neill, Kelsey Grammar, and Lucille Ball, and how have they continued to earn residuals for decades after their original performances were filmed or aired?
As streaming services become increasingly popular, audiences have the opportunity to re-watch their favorite TV shows and movies on demand. While this is great for viewers, have you ever wondered how much money the actors receive every time their reruns are aired?
According to industry experts, actors can earn substantial profits from their reruns. These profits can come from various sources, including network syndication, cable syndication, and digital streaming services. The exact amount of money that actors receive for their reruns can vary greatly depending on a variety of factors, but some general trends and ballpark figures can provide insight into this process.
To begin with, actors typically earn residuals for their on-screen performances, meaning they receive a portion of the profits made by studios and networks for reruns of shows or movies in which they have appeared. Equity and union rules govern these payments, which can differ depending on the media platform, length of the episode, or whether the production was a network show or a film. For example, an actor in a network TV show can typically earn a percentage of the show’s profits from every re-broadcast, while a movie actor may receive a percentage of the profits generated from any distribution format or device, including DVDs, streaming services, and cable broadcasts.
Additionally, certain actors may negotiate contracts that include provisions for royalties based on sales of DVDs or other merchandise featuring their likeness or performance; while other actors may receive a flat fee for their initial performance, making it that much more important to negotiate for residuals in future rounds of syndication. In some cases, actors may even negotiate a percentage of the profits made by merchandising products like t-shirts, action figures, or video games featuring their characters.
So, how much money can actors earn from reruns? While it is difficult to pinpoint an exact number, it is clear that the amount can add up over time. For example, Ed O’Neill, who starred in the hit sitcom “Modern Family,” reportedly earned an estimated $500,000 per episode in the final season of the show. Assuming the show continues to be syndicated on cable and streaming services for many years, a big assumption given industry trends, O’Neill could easily earn millions in residuals.
Similarly, Kelsey Grammar, who played Frasier Crane in both “Cheers” and its spin-off show “Frasier,” has reportedly earned over $100 million in residuals over the years. In addition, some actors may continue to earn residuals for decades after their original performance was filmed or aired; for example, Lucille Ball’s estate reportedly still earns millions from reruns of her classic TV shows “I Love Lucy” and “The Lucy Show”.
Overall, it is clear that actors can earn significant amounts of money from their reruns. As technology and media trends continue to evolve, the profitability of these residuals may change, and negotiations over residuals and merchandising contracts will become increasingly important, but for now, reruns offer actors a valuable source of income long after their time on screen has ended.
