One of television's most prolific actors has joined the growing list of stars revealing how little they earn in residuals decades after their shows first aired. 'Everybody Loves Raymond' star Ray Romano reportedly earns up to $18 million annually in syndication residuals, prompting jokes that he 'never has to work again.' By contrast, many other Hollywood alumni are far less lucky.
'10 Things I Hate About You' and '7th Heaven' star Andrew Keegan hilariously admitted he receives 'one-cent checks' that can cost more to mail than they're worth, while 'Who's The Boss?' alum Danny Pintauro, now an Amazon delivery driver, said he only gets 'five to six cents per episode.' 'Full House' star Jodie Sweetin once revealed she received a residual payment of just one penny - showing how meager some of these payouts can be.
Now, Ted McGinley, whose career spans decades across 'Happy Days,' 'The Love Boat,' and most notably 'Married… With Children,' has revealed he too is among those receiving surprisingly small residual checks. The 67-year-old actor told Page Six he has a 'whole stack' of checks, each made out for the grand total of one penny. He explained that residuals 'step down, eventually, it doesn't become that much.'
Nevertheless, his decades-long career across the '70s, '80s, and '90s means that 'I've been getting residuals all the time.' McGinley admitted he doesn't bother cashing in the penny checks, though he isn't above depositing slightly larger ones. 'I'd say about $2,' he said with a laugh, estimating the smallest amount he'll cash. '$1.89, it's going in!' he added.
Fans were quick to react on social media, with one writing: 'Ted McGinley's revelation about low TV residuals is a reminder that not all fame equals financial security.' Another echoed the sentiment, adding: 'It's a reminder that appearing on a hit TV show doesn't automatically guarantee lifelong wealth. The entertainment industry is often far less glamorous financially than people imagine.'
The reveal also comes after Lisa Kudrow left fans stunned after revealing the eye-watering sums she and her 'Friends' co-stars still pocket every year in residuals. Kudrow, who played the eccentric Phoebe Buffay throughout the show's ten-season run from 1994 to 2004, starred alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc and the late Matthew Perry. The cast famously negotiated their salaries together, skyrocketing from $22,500 per episode in the first season to a staggering $1 million each by the final two seasons.
They later reunited for a one-off special on HBO Max in 2021, reportedly earning a cool $2.5 million apiece for the nostalgic return. But according to Kudrow, even those astonishing paydays pale in comparison to the steady stream of income the cast continues to receive from the show's global syndication. Speaking to The Times, the actress, 62, who is currently starring in a new season of 'The Comeback,' revealed the cast still rake in an astonishing $20 million a year in residuals.
In the same interview, Kudrow reflected on why the series continues to generate such enormous residual income, suggesting its enduring success is more than justified. 'After Matthew died I watched the show again. Before, I only saw what I did wrong or could have done better, but for the first time I truly appreciated just how great it was,' Kudrow explained, referencing the tragic passing of Perry, who died on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54 from the acute effects of ketamine. 'Because there was a genius at work. And whatever any of us do in the future, we will never experience something like that again.' She added, 'I felt I did OK, but Jennifer and Courteney? Amazing. David and Matt? They had me laughing so hard. And then Matthew – he was just beyond us all.'
