Ted McGinley Talks About Low TV Residuals

In a recent chat, Ted McGinley disclosed the rather surprising amounts he receives from residual checks. The well-known star from “Married…With Children,” who also gained fame from “Happy Days” and “The Love Boat” during the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, mentioned that he has a “whole stack” of checks that amount to just a few pennies.

“I’m always getting residuals,” McGinley noted, but he candidly admitted that these checks seem to get smaller over time. It’s kind of odd—he doesn’t feel inclined to cash such small amounts, yet he can’t quite bring himself to discard them either. He suspects his total might be around $2.

Interestingly, he’s not alone in this experience. Jodie Sweetin, the actress who became famous as Stephanie Tanner on “Full House,” also opened up about receiving similar low amounts from residuals. During a podcast appearance, she shared that she got a check for just 1 cent recently. “There’s no more syndication,” she lamented, asserting that streaming platforms don’t provide the same compensation.

Sweetin pointed out the precariousness of financial security for actors. At times, she feels optimistic, thinking, “Oh, great. That’s nice,” but then other moments prompt her to worry about her finances, wondering if she might need a second job. She humorously contrasted the perception people have of her lifestyle with reality, sharing that she drives a used 2023 Hyundai Sonata and rents a house while managing a maxed-out credit card.

Furthermore, Drake Bell, another former child star from Nickelodeon, weighed in on this issue. He expressed frustration over the common misconception that former child actors are wealthy, saying, “That’s the perception of the world.” He explained that many former Nickelodeon stars, himself included, receive a one-time payment for their work instead of ongoing residuals, which is quite disappointing.