Jeffrey Voorhees, who played shark victim Alex Kintner in the 1975 film Jaws at age 12, continues to earn significant income from his brief role five decades later. Residuals from television broadcasts, along with paid appearances and merchandise sales, have turned his fleeting fame into a steady revenue stream.
Voorhees, who still lives on Martha's Vineyard where the film was shot, now attends fan conventions for around £10,000 per appearance, sells signed merchandise online, and creates personalised videos on Cameo. He has even signed autographs on an inflatable yellow raft identical to the one used in his character's death scene.
Other child actors have also benefited from residuals. Jason Weaver, who sang for young Simba in The Lion King, reportedly receives ongoing royalties after his mother negotiated a reduced upfront fee in exchange for a share of soundtrack sales. Casey Margolis, who played a young version of Jonah Hill's character in Superbad, has collected about £74,000 from residuals, though amounts vary widely.
However, the streaming era has changed the landscape. Unlike traditional TV broadcasts, streaming services often do not pay residuals in the same way, leaving young actors with minimal compensation for their work.
