When are actors "set for life"?

When you get 16 Oscars.

I read that Hayden Christensen got a tiny cut of the gross of the Star Wars prequels in which he starred, and never has to work/act again.

r1 is an imposter. I never place a period after my initial. Why would I?

This is an absurd question, OP. No one is ever truly "set for life." Even the largest of fortunes may be lost and as a rule, most actors are not the brightest when it comes to money.

It depends on how you spend it. Some people can make their money last and then there are people like Alyssa Milano who were on shows for years but like Milano are now broke.

People can be set for life if they are responsible with their money r4.

Alyssa Milano is broke?

The thing that is tricky (and I know two people like this.)

They were on a series for a few years and made some money buy now they are auditioning and trying to get another and worry about what kind of job they can get since they are somewhat famous. My one friend says the only other job he ever had was being a waiter. Now he worries he'll have to go back to it and will end up in some tabloid about how desperate his life is.

A few years ago Charlie Sheen was one of the richest actors in the world. He should have been set for life no matter how long he lived. And today he's not so rich.

Yes r7. She's blaming her business manager but the manager says she spent wildly. She's suing.

If you need yachts, islands, jets, multiple showy houses around the world, and mountains of drugs, you are never set for life.

When your billionaire parents die.

I wonder about Flo, from the Progressive Insurance ads. Surely she must be rich, right? Those ads run hundreds of times a day. Could she retire?

I'm sure "Flo" might retire when she wishes if she has been careful with her money and not overspent. She might earn 10 million bucks when all is said and done (using that Paul "Can you hear me now?" guy as a template), but who knows? I'd say anyone with 5-10 million in the bank can easily retire if clearing 3% interest which is not hard.

R7 She's filed for bankruptcy once or twice

Yeah r14 imo 10 million is the magic number. Invest it all in a balanced portfolio and live off the interest. It is true that even the not-complete-idiot actors have to deal with managers, agents, lawyers etc all taking a % and there are typically aging parents and potentially other family and friends who expect some degree of financial support. If you’ve got a kid or two there’s not-insignificant child support payments. Lots of people with their hands in the pot.

Yolanda Vega is way richer than Flo.

About 6 years ago I read an interview with Flo where she said the money isn't as much as people think and that she isn't a millionaire. By now though she may be.

Alyssa Milano info is all over the internet.

When they become self-made like me.

r2 Good for him, because he hasn't been in a hit movie since then. Episode III came out in, what, '05?

Can we extend this to the music industry? Can you retire off one hit song? How many albums do you need to sell to be set?

More money is made from writing the song than singing it, which is why artists, nowadays, stick their names on the writer list as well (even if all they contributed was “oooh, oooh”

Linda Rondstadt is broke and it’s because she never wrote any of her songs

I know someone who, when young, wrote three hits for a popstar. As rich as God. Now all they seem to do is sit in restaurants and cafes all day. ALL DAY EVERY DAY.

OP, I was one of the highest paid actors in history and look what happened to me.

Must be a good life to be the writer of a some hit songs (or even write and performer of a hit song), that becomes a perpetual money earner.

You have the anonymity, but get to avoid work, and just pursue the quiet life, and not have the stress of bills.

R2, many would argue that Hayden Christensen never acted in the first place.

Flo has the best of both worlds. The time commitment must be minimal. How much time can they spend on one commercial? A week? And she also has the anonymity. I read an interview where she said she very rarely gets recognized because her make up is so heavy.

Obviously actors like Joey Lawrence have proven that earning big money from multiple hit shows, B movies, etc. (from age 5 to 40) does not guarantee "set for life" either. Bad financial choices can catch up with anyone - no matter how much money one starts with.

Cult hit/convention money-- not unless you're living small. Conventions pay 5-figure numbers, usually in the $25K vicinity, maybe $50K if it's a really big one.

Actors make real money when a TV series they were in goes into syndication and those are largely broadcast network series.

So the casts of Friends and The Office never have to work again.

Become a regular on Friends, write the Harry Potter books, name your show Seinfeld, or star in the Matrix or Iron Man films. These usually work.

When they invest it properly. I’ve worked in the industry for nearly 20 years and have met well know people that lived large and squandered their huge $$$ blessing. I’ve also met working actors and the not so famous that invested their money judiciously and now never have to work again. Lifestyle plays a big part. A taste for fancy things will erode wealth pretty fast. I knew a gal that had a role on a TV show as a kid, but now just does voice over work. She invested her kid earnings into a fourplex in LA and that’s her main source of income now. It’s paid off and she’s actually good without having to work.

This woman is possibly the most successful songwriter of all time. She’s an idiot savant who can’t sing worth a damn or read sheet music. She writes love songs but has never been in a serious relationship and basically stays holed up in her cluttered (hoarder) room all day every day songwriting. She has several pet parrots for company. Her favorite parrot is named Butt Wings.

She seems happy enough with her songwriting but I don’t think many people would want to live her life. Her catalog is worth half a billion dollars but she has little apparent interest in spending it or going anywhere.

It really is true that money just amplifies the person you are, it doesn’t really change you for better or worse. However, those who tend to get extremely wealthy are often either ruthless sociopath businessmen or dumb/emotionally stunted entertainers. Also pro athletes make ungodly amounts of money these days for doing fuckall.

Investing in property is a good way to go, if you can stand the headaches.

Paul Reiser & Helen Hunt both got $22 million for the last season of Mad About You, so they are set for life

From ER - Anthony Edwards, Eriq LaSalle, Noah Wyle and Maura Tierney both got multi-million dollar contracts when resigning with ER

You know you're set for life when you see a 100 episodes celebration party on the set.

r16 makes a good point. LOTS of celebrities (no matter what level of show business they're at) have family members to support. Parents, siblings, even nieces and nephews. That can really add up.

There are one or two-hit wonders from the 70s and 80s who are still living well to this day. They're not rolling in $$$, but they have enough to live at a comfortable upper-middle class level.

I read that Katrina from Katrina and the Waves pulls in about $1.3 million per year from "Walking On Sunshine." ONE song from over 30 years ago! Not too bad at all.

Linda Ronstadt is not broke.

[quote] You know you're set for life when you see a 100 episodes celebration party on the set.

Residuals aren't worth anything anymore. because everytime a show repeats, the payout becomes less to where it is just pennies per play. Which is why some stars ask for money up-front. They get a chunk of change, in exchange for signing away their residuals. Because it is becoming less and less the more the show gets replayed.

The MOST important rule - live off the interest and don't touch the principal unless you REALLY have to. You'll never have money worries if you follow that simple rule.

The song "careless whisper" was all George Michael creation. However Andrew Rigdley contributed a guitar melody, and George was generous enough to included Andrew as one of the songwriters, and thus receive publishing royalties as a songwriter to the son.

So Andrew doesn't have to work another day in his life, as he lives off the "Careless Whisper" residuals.

If you’re a pathetic moron like Joey Lawrence, he could’ve been set for life but blew his money on wasteful things. High end cars living like he had a Bieber income.

So now he’s still stupid, broke, basically homeless, and unable to support his family.

My suspicion is he’s probably hitting up his family for money. Mooching. Bumming. All the despicable begging that parents told us never to do.

R42 his brother Matthew Lawrence was much smarter and saved his money!

How in the world can Alyssa Milano be broke? She stared on two successful TV series? The other day I was thinking she must be very rich! Charmed is still running.

That is simply not true for all those involved, R35. The executive producers may do quite well in such an instance; however, the actors wouldn't be nearly as fortunate. The money that actors receive for syndicated series is much less than what most imagine.

Maybe if you worked for Aaron Spelling, you never got a good deal?

R44 unlike Alyssa, Shannen Doherty was much smarter when she signed with Charmed. After getting ripped off by Aaron Spelling during her 90210 days (the cast didn't get a dime off of the merchandising of the show) Shannen demanded a piece of the action on Charmed

She negotiated a percentage of the all of the Charmed profits from syndication, merchandising and any spin-off projects, Even after she was fired, she still continued to receive regular paychecks from the show, even to this day.

For Alyssa part, she didn't get more money or a piece of the "Charmed" empire. All she got was a producers credit, which didn't cost Aaron Spelling a nickle.

The Friends made a fortune. The actors on Seinfeld made a fortune and Charlie Sheen made a fortune, a long with Jon Cryer.

[Quote] Cult hit/convention money-- not unless you're living small. Conventions pay 5-figure numbers, usually in the $25K vicinity, maybe $50K if it's a really big one.

It seems to be working really well for the Supernatural actors.

Mariska Hargitay is set for life. She just started working on her 20th season of Law & Order: SVU. She also became an executive producer on the show a while back. The show is reran constantly. She's loaded and will never have to work again after the show finally goes off the air.

Musicians can be set for life if they write their own songs. Dolly Parton is prime example of that. She also branched out into other things that make money like her Dollywood amusement park.

How about Chris Hemsworth? Chris Pratt? Chris Evans? Mark Ruffalo? Are they set for life with their Marvel franchises? I read somewhere that Marvel is like Comedy Central... they are cheap, cheap, cheap.

[quote] Cult hit/convention money-- not unless you're living small. Conventions pay 5-figure numbers, usually in the $25K vicinity, maybe $50K if it's a really big one.

Norman Reedus (Walking Dead) makes a MINT from these conventions and charged a high fee for a selfie. Hope he is banking the money

Go back to night school and learn a real trade.

And just because your show lasts long enough to get into syndication, doesn't mean that it can have much of a run in it. Some shows are very seldomly seen in reruns.

I wish some of these actors who don't have to work another day in their lives really wouldn't. David Schwimmer, Kelsey Grammer, Allison Janney...

R52 Charging for selfies is ridiculous.

R55 What's wrong with Allison Janney?

r56 It's not her, it's me. I find her overwrought.

Don Knotts. Still gets residual action?

Please answer this.

Michelle Phillips, she was given half of California Dreamin' by her ex-husband John.

No one ever understands that r45. Syndication royalties are immensely complicated and actors fall at the very bottom of the payouts. Producers, production companies, studios, etc., all take their share first.

R49, the "actors" on the CW's Supernatural (if you're going to be generous and actually call them actors) have unusual circumstances. Most actors who do convention appearances do, maybe, one or two, possibly three or four a year so their pay for those appearance is taxed at a fairly high rate. The two actors from Supernatural, however, do so many conventions a year that that their tax guys are, I'm sure, able to get them into much lower tax bracket. Attendance at these conventions has declined steadily over the last several years and will continue to do so. Once the television show goes off the conventions will dry up quickly. Even so, to be ridiculously untalented actors those two men have made a great deal of money which they would have never made were it not for Supernatural.

When you marry a royal.

I love how people love to trash Supernatural. It's one of the funniest things on here.

Anyway, aren't most actors asking for points and producer credits now to enhance their syndication money and ensure that they will get a cut of these big syndication deals?

[quote]I love how people love to trash Supernatural. It's one of the funniest things on here.

The acting is really bad, R63, R61 is right. And one of the stars, don't remember which, is big buds with Duck Dynasty people and actually has them working for him at a bar or brewery he ons. This is a gay sight so it doesn't take rocket scientists to figure out why people trash the show and actors.

[Quote] Once the television show goes off the conventions will dry up quickly.

Who knows when that will be.

[Quote] And one of the stars, don't remember which, is big buds with Duck Dynasty people and actually has them working for him at a bar or brewery he ons.

Jensen Ackles

[Quote] the "actors" on the CW's Supernatural (if you're going to be generous and actually call them actors)

How about when you get a 30+ year gig turning letters for a game show? (I know, she’s not an actor)

I thought I was set for life.

Now I’m serving life.

I thought I was too.

Steve Guttenburg starred in several films in the 80s and then disappeared. He turned up again in a small part on [italic]Veronica Mars[/italic]. When interviewed, he said that he hadn't worked much because, well, he was rich. Presumably he invested well.

You'd be surprised how devoted some of sci-fi shows and movies are. Actors from ones from decades ago (like the various Star Trek shows) are still in demand at cons and make good money for very effort.

That should be "and make good money for very little effort."

[Quote] You'd be surprised how devoted some of sci-fi shows and movies are.

I'm not that surprised lol

[Quote] Actors from ones from decades ago (like the various Star Trek shows) are still in demand at cons and make good money for very effort.

Never underestimate the power of a trekkie.

Judge Judy (ok, she's not an actor), the main cast from "Big Bang Theory"

Depends upon what kind of “life” one aspires to live.

I wonder if the SyFy Channels shows have such devoted fans.

How many big name sci fi shows have there been outside of Star Trek and Battlestar Gallactica, maybe Kyle XY, ones where there are enough episodes and fans to fuel conventions?

I can't abide the Supernatural fan fraus. They are one of the strangest factions on Data Lounge, constantly extolling the nonexistent virtues of that stupid show and clamoring "Jensen deserves an Emmy!" Hell, I just thought he was a shitty actor before but now that I know he's in league with Duck Dynasty people I'm even more weirded out.

[quote]Cult hit/convention money-- not unless you're living small.

You know how many conventions there are in a year? Tons of them, around the world.

Actors who work the convention circuit can easily support themselves off it. Getting on a genre show with a cult fanbase is a big score for an actor.

R75 - yes, even obscure ones like Farscape (which starred the impossibly gorgeous at the time, Ben Browder) have huge fan bases still. I am not sure how many conventions were spawned from this show - but enough. These fans are rabid - which I assume is a good thing for the actors and their wallets.

Isn't that how the Gilligan's Island cast made money over the years. Autograph and nostalgia conventions? Look at Butch Patrick still rolling in dough.

R75 Buffy, Xena, Teen Wolf, The Walking Dead to name a few.

R76 They're not going anywhere. You can always just block them.

Listen to Jewel from Firefly describe it

[quote]"The fact is, a guest star on a TV show can [get] around $10,000, whereas you can work two days at a convention and pull in the same amount — and sometimes double and triple that," says Firefly actress Jewel Staite, who did 12 conventions last year while pregnant with her son and, as she says, "pretty much not hireable." She'll do the same when she has a second child. "Have I turned down smaller jobs that won't pay as much? Absolutely. It would be silly of me to say yes to the job that pays $10,000 for a week of work and bow out of a big convention where I could potentially walk away with $40,000 in two days."

R79 Dawn Wells still does. Although she was left a good amount of money by Natalie Schafer and used to have a clothing line for the disabled and elderly.

One should never consider themselves "set for life." You always have to be mindful of your portfolio. Investments are great but some go bad and many actors have lost their fortunes to unscrupulous managers. Managing large sums of money and investments takes focus, one must always be on the lookout for scams. I have a friend who inherited thousands of acres of forest land in the northeast. Much of his time is spent with lawyers managing lease agreements with tenants and business on those lands. He lives modestly but is very wealthy.

Many in the entertainment business are not mathematically inclined and put their trust in managers. They then have to watch those managers very closely or they'll lose their fortunes, as we've seen in many stories above. Some like to retire on their laurels, but many others keep working because they love their work. I sure would like a chance to give that a try.

I am middle class but own several properties. Maintenance alone can cost a fortune. It's a lot of work.

Not forgetting two crucial rules: don't get divorced and don't knock them up.

The probably with many is they hand over the finances to a manager and have no clue what their day to day expenses are. I could not imagine giving up that much control over my money.

*problem

Same here, r85. If I had a money manager, I would want to see where every goddamned dime and nickel was going, and no money would be spent without my approval. I could never just put my financial matters in the hands of another and then just sit back and think "he'll handle it." Fuck no! I'd have to oversee and authorize everything.

[quote] Dawn Wells still does. Although she was left a good amount of money by Natalie Schafer

OK. I know. But, I just love this.

Mrs. Howell leaving money to Mary Ann. This is a good thing on so many levels.

I'm guessing when they book a Marvel movie.

Oprah said once that the way you avoid going broke is by signing every check yourself. That way you always know where your money is going. Now, naturally lots of actors are very stupid or put their faith in crooks and lose it all. Rihanna nearly went broke about a decade ago due to hiring the wrong business manager. I feel like if I was A-lister rich I'd be too paranoid about losing my fortune to enjoy it.

Natalie Schaefer (Mrs. Howell) was quite wealthy, and Dawn Wells took care of her in her later years, because Schaefer had no children or other family. She considered Wells the daughter she never had and I believe left everything to her in the will.

OP lacks any knowledge of finances. It's how you manage your money. Moron.

In five years nobody's gonna know who Norman Reedus, Andrew Lincoln and the 2 Supernatural guys are. Yeah, they've made some $$$ but no enough that they can't lose it.

Andrew Lincoln's wife is the daughter of one of the Jethro Tull guys. I'm sure she's not hurting for $$$.

Hey LA Tax Attourney at r61, what’s the best way to make money if you’re in the entertainment industry? Any advice for how to find a manager who’s trustworthy? Or an entertainment lawyer who’ll negotiate the best contract? How does one become an executive producer? Is most of the revenue found in merchandising these days?

The internet is changing everything so fast. If you’re a musician, there’s no profit in album sales anymore because of streaming and pirating, so touring is ideal (if you’re a big enough name to sell tickets to concerts).

There’s no money in music videos now that MTV and VH1 are basically dead and YouTube is free so no one invests in big music video budgets like they used to. Box office profits are plummeting because people just wait a couple months to stream new releases on Netflix or Amazon Prime. People are dropping cable TV for the same reason. Actors who manage to get on long-running TV shows don’t make nearly as much in syndication residuals as they used to. But the world is still hungry for stories and music and consumers are still consuming, so who is getting the money?? Is everything ultimately going to a handful of Disney executives?

TLDR: If you’re an actor or writer or musician, what stipulations should you put in your contract to make sure you get a big piece of the profits pie?

One thing is for sure: OP isn’t set for life, or anything else, either.

Norman Reedus charges $390 to pose of a picture with a fan at these fan events. Multiply that by 200 fans who buy a ticket to get a picture that is $78,000 for an afternoon of posing for a picture (individually) with a fan x 200.

a fan writes about the experience and how Reedus has a well-oiled machine running at these events

My husband estimated there were at least 200 people in our photo group, the first of eight scheduled, although most weren’t posing alone. I have no idea what Reedus’s cut of the profits was, but it seems like a lucrative way for a celebrity to supplement their income.

We waited in half a dozen or more long, parallel lines in the curtained-off “photo opp” area, shepherded by Epic Photo Opps staffers toward another curtained-off section. As we moved forward we shuffled not unlike the zombie “walkers” that give the TV show its name.

Finally it was our turn. There was Reedus, looking lean and fit, wearing a ball cap with the word “Ride” (the name of his other AMC show), sunglasses, and the shoulder-length hair and stubble familiar to Walking Dead fans.

Daryl can be taciturn and surly, but Reedus seemed welcoming as we walked toward him.

“That’s a good one, I haven’t seen that one,” Reedus said about my T-shirt, which featured a drawing of Daryl with his signature crossbow, a trio of bloody zombie ears on a string around his neck.

“I got it at Yellow Rat Bastard in New York,” I told him.

“The one that used to be on Broadway?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I said. (For the record, it appears the store is still on Broadway if you’re ever in the neighbourhood.)

And that was it. I grinned at the camera. There was a flash and we walked out, picking up our 8-by-10 photo as we exited. My digital copy was emailed to me within seconds.

Everything happened so fast that I didn’t even register until I saw the picture that I had put my arm around Reedus’s waist and his hand was on my shoulder.

That was supposed to be the beginning and end of my celeb photo opp story.

btw Arrow star Stephen Amell says he can walk away with 250K for one afternoon work at a fan event

This is nothing new, back in the 80s (and even the 90s) soap stars were pulling in big bucks at fan events as well, until the popularity of the soaps nosedived,

But Sci-Fi will never go out of style

Jesus H Christ, r97 and r98. I had no idea! Who in the hell pays $280 for a single digital photo with a celeb?! That’s insane to me. $250k in a single day?!? That’s...obscene, frankly.

I was set, but I couldn’t afford to renovate my house after 1978.

$390 could be MUCH better spent IMO. This craziness is fascinating. Move to Studio City, Los Angeles and run into 70% of the stars - current or vintage at your local Ralphs, Gelson's, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, The Coffee Bean and various dry cleaners, etc. They don't charge for a stop and chat (often they like a little attention) and almost all of the studios surround the local area (Studio City, Toluca Lake, part of Burbank). Literally, it is amazing how many tv personalities that you run smack into on a daily basis. Porn stars too...

"When are actors "set for life"?"

Ask Beverly D'Angelo -

Mark Hamill (Star Wars) price for these fan events is also 250K for an afternoon of signing autographs

Fun fact Andrew Lincoln (Walking Dead) says all of his earnings on the fan event circuit is donated to charity

R51 Mark Ruffalo made $40mil in 2017 for Thor Ragnarok, he was on the top #40 (or top #20) highest paid list. Mark gave an interview to a foreign paper (Indian paper?) In Nov 2017, he said he still needs to work because living in NYC is expensive, especially with kids.I

Excuse me bish, do you invest?

Matthew Mcconoughay has the right idea. He makes millions in Hollywood, and has his home base in Texas. It's significantly cheaper, and his kids have a chance of not growing up to be douchy Hollywood/L.A. celeb offspring.

The A-Listers like Matthew McBongo and Tom Cruise etc. can live out in the middle of nowhere and it doesn't affect their careers, but the working, jobbing actors have to stay in LA to network, have last-minute auditions and all of the other bullshit that most actors have to go through.

Carmelita Pope a lifetime supply of PAM, so she's set.

But, they weren't A-listers when they started out, R106. I don't believe either of them came from family money.

To the people going on about money management. Yes, that's important, but at some point, after you've made a few million, you are basically set for life. Even if you put a million in the bank, just live off the interest.

Not if you spend it all r109.

AND so many actors think that they are A-list after a stint on a hit show or B movie. "Fake it before you make it" or "dress for the job that you want" overtakes them. They end up renting some Trousdale, Bird Streets, Bel Air or Malibu estate for $25K+ a month, buy a Maserati or two, spend 100K or so on clothes and drugs and then wake up to the fact that the party is over and they have nothing to show for it. It's a slippery slope.

[quote]—Mark Ruffalo troll. Hotter than ever but boy he dumb

Total Bernbro loon, so no, not hot, and definitely not smart!

yes plus i remember reading that it's like 75 dollars cash for a picture and extra for autograph and it's all cash! They leave with garbage bags full of money.

R111 and publicists that are about 10k/month. Which now includes “social media management” and more bullshit than ever before. It’s endless but really I think that’s where so much of their money goes.

“This is a gay sight...”

r108 once they get to a certain level they can live on a ranch in Montana if they want to, but actors starting out or actors who are jobbers really have to be in LA.

Rula Lenska is set for life. Still collects residuals.

Residuals checks amount to pennies

Rula Lenska's currently guesting in UK soap Coronation Street, so presumably still needs the odd penny.

R97 That doesn't even look like Reedus.

they have a lot of expenses, accountants, lawyers, agents, PR, personal assistants, etc.

But they get to make money too, they get paid to advertise on social media. You see all these reality "stars" or insta whores who get to advertise and make over 100k for doing nothing basically.

How much can a hit song make? What about music licencing for TV and movies? Something like Don't Stop Believing must have been in dozens of shows and movies. How does the financial aspect of that work?

R121 yeah that’s true. Plus so much that they get for free - things that are huge expense for the rest of us (clothes, restaurants, vacations etc).

The free shit they get is unnecessary though, and they probably give it away to people around them. Like the Oscar nominees' gift bag: random stuff not every celeb needs (trial facial treatments etc).

Any posters "in the industry" here who get handed macarons and unwanted fancy gifts from celebs' hand-me-downs?

They're set for life once they have invested their money and the investments are producing an income stream so that they don't have to worry about getting work or the next role. Daniel Radcliffes net worth is around $120 M and is invested he doesn't need to worry about getting his next job and can pick and choose his acting roles.

I thought the rule was any waiter over the age of 30 in Los Angeles was an actor set for life.

Those net worth sites are bullshit R125. There are too many variables for them to accurately guess at what someone is worth.

[Quote] Daniel Radcliffes net worth is around $120 M and is invested he doesn't need to worry about getting his next job and can pick and choose his acting roles.

I guess it was the opposite for co-star Tom Felton.

I once met the songwriter Tom Jones (of the Broadway team Jones & Schmidt). He said he could have retired pretty well on the money from "Try To Remember" alone. One song, from one show. Recorded by a lot of people, a standard to be sure...but certainly not in the league saleswise of "Over the Rainbow" or something we hear all the time.

When you add to that his other songs that were recorded quite a bit back in the day, "Soon It's Gonna Rain", "My Cup Runneth Over", and one or two others, he'd be doing well.

And that's just the songwriting, not the royalties from productions of the entire show. Every small theatre in the world did "The Fantasticks" at one time, and "I Do! I Do!" was ubiquitous for a while too. Theatre groups do these shows less often now, but they are still done. Even their "110 in the Shade" is done with some regularity.

But yes, one song can do it. Especially today, but the deal has to be set up correctly and one should still be prudent with the money.

I think it's definitely much harder for music artists these days, so much is streamed online and they get paid peanuts. as opposed to people buying CDs in the past. I read somewhere a certain song was streamed millions of times and yet the artist only got a few hundred bucks or some ridiculous tiny amount. Vinyl is making a comeback, those are expensive so they make a few bucks there.

The way they make money now is by touring. that's why you see so many tours these days. merch is the way to go. They charge $40, $50 for concert tshirt. $20 for a key ring, $20 for a mug. Everything is fucking expensive. I know that Axl Rose is getting paid $1 million per show.

It also depends if they invested in scams or get taken for a ride by dishonest people. Divorce and child support is another issue.

Many have successfully invested and flipped real estate.

Bill Cosby is another one who always lived outside of Hollywood living in Pennsylvania. And could do so because he was worth north of $600 million dollars.

Money made from various films, books, tours, producing and writing as well as his hit NBC sitcom The Cosby show. So even though he's in trouble right now. The Cosby family is set indefinitely. And I'm sure Camille is guarding the family fortune for herself and her children with her life.

That fortune was made over the course of 50 plus years. Hollywood was good to Bill.

I know the Kardashians aren't actors. But they've made a tone of money from reality tv and merchandise. The merchandise is where their wealth really comes from. They have a lot of young girls and women in their 20s and 30s even some fabulous guys who will buy anything their selling. So that's why their so rich.

That whole family collectively has to be worth $1 Billion dollars combined. I don't see how they can't be. They make way to much money not to be.

And Kris Jenner does her best to make sure money is coming in constantly.

I had a friend, an actor in the Mpls market, who landed a Totino's national commercial back in the 1990's. It was a take off on the 'Forever Plaid' goofy male singing groups ... so he was only one of 4. I think he just sang, I don't think he had speaking lines.

At any rate, while not set for life, he was able to entirely pay off his student loans and credit card debt - all just off of one commercial. I recall the ad running for close to a year.

Score a handful of those - and yes, you'd be set for life.

Yes, commercials can net you a lot of money they run past 3 months or so and run nationally. Then I believe the pay and residual rates goes up.

Dena Dietrich, who played Mother Nature in those Chiffon margarine commercials that ran for close to a decade in the 1970s. Plus she did lots of TV episodic work for decades. From what I understand, she still lives comfortably at the age 89.

Top voiceover artists for radio ads etc make fortunes. People just book them day in, day out, because they work fast and can nail a line read. Some do many different bookings every day.

Margot Heningway is a notable star who blew through her fortune and died relatively young in a cold water walk up.

Dena Dietrich's guest starring role on "The Golden Girls" as Dorothy Zbornak's sister, Gloria, who bedded Stan when the hurricane-was-a-comin' surely helped set her up for life too! (Although the first actress to play Gloria (Doris Belack) was somewhat better.)

When they ax for and don’t deserve em things. That’s whether they whether them folks ax in the first place.

Residual checks reduce over time in syndication. I recall an interview with Todd Bridges where he said his early residuals for Different Strokes were high and then just kept getting lower and lower over the years.

Ellie Kemper did commercials while doing improv in NYC before she got on The Office. Kemper said she made enough off the residuals to cover her rent and bills. But, Kemper comes from a wealthy family so she might have had trust fund money.

How much do the think those annoying 1 800 Kars for Kids made off that commercial?

R60 Yes, according to Michelle he woke her up in the middle of the night and said, sign here and you will never have to work again. She did and she doesn't.

[quote] Maybe if you worked for Aaron Spelling, you never got a good deal?

He was fucking cheap with his own children, so why would he be better with his employees.

I'm curious about something. When A-List film and television stars get their checks and sign them. Do they actually go deposit them into the bank themselves or do they hand them over to their manager or accountant and they make the deposit for them?

I've always been really curious about that. I mean can you imagine Oprah, Angelina Jolie or even Will Smith going into the bank or drive through to make a multi million dollar check deposit? I couldn't.

Even though Oprah just recently said she made a $2 million dollar deposit herself by actually walking into the bank and standing in line to do so. She also said it was the first time she's been to the bank since 1988.

Can you believe that? Crazy.

R144, I would assume that everything is electronic. I don't even remember the last time I went to the bank. Also, I think most stars set up corporations and the production pays the corporation.

Most never consider themselves set for life. What do most rich people want? More money.

Well, not quite banks, but I've stood in line at the post office, at various times, with Estelle Getty, Sally Struthers and Morgan Freeman.

[quote]Most never consider themselves set for life. What do most rich people want? More money.

This is very true, no matter how much money people make, they always want to make more. You can always look at someone else who has a lot more money than you and you want their life.

Lifestyle creep is a very real thing, you get accustomed to having more and more money.

I think it's probably direct deposit or they get assistants to deposit the checks.

I believe all their checks are either direct deposited or go to their management. Management also pays all of their bills too, like utilities, credit cards etc.

R134 Florence Henderson made a fortune off Wesson. In an interview on youtube she said people don't realize how lucrative (her words) commercials can be. She outlasted 5 ad agencies! Progressive tried to get rid of Flo, remember those few non-Flo ads? They didn't fly, so back to Flo! BTW is it me or has she gained weight? They seem to shoot her in poses that negates her figure.

I think it's easier for actors now, there are more places to work, netflix, amazon etc. can go and sell your pic or autograph for 50 bucks per.

Yes, the various conventions bring in TONS of money for actors. That's a relatively new thing.

[134] Lea Thompson said that she made so much money off a Burger King commercial she did when she was young she was able to buy her mom a house.

Elisabeth Shue also said that she made a ton of money from commercials before ever doing a movie.

R134 Lea Thompson said that she made so much money off a Burger King commercial she did when she was young she was able to buy her mom a house.

Elisabeth Shue also said that she made a ton of money from commercials before ever doing a movie.

[Quote] Yes, the various conventions bring in TONS of money for actors. That's a relatively new thing.

It pays well y'all!

r132, you also have to take into account he probably wanted somewhere out of the limelight to casually date rape.

The conventions really are how a lot of these actors keep things afloat. If you look at their IMDB pages, some might be lucky to do one or two indie films or TV guest spots a year. That's probably not going to keep the lights on. Indie films pay next to nothing. The conventions really are a life saver for a lot of them. They are literally people there who said a few lines in some cheesy, cult b-movie from 1982 who still have fans coming up to them and taking pictures with them and getting them to sign their posters. It's wild!

The good news is that most of them seem to know how well they have it and what a thrill it is to, not only be able to still make money from this stuff, but to be remembered.

The Star Trek actors clean up at those conventions. Even the second-tier actors like Garrett Wang and Roxann Dawson from Voyager can make a few thousand in just one weekend.

I think fans will think it's worth it, I know so many people went to a con to take pic with carrie fisher, she was a hoot according to them.

Ethan Hawk has to do commercial films to pay for alimony and tuition and health insurance for his kids. He tries to be an actor purely for the "craft" of it and all that BS.

Most when they are born.

I couldn't believe it when I read that Norman Reedus and Andrew Lincoln make upwards of $250,000 per convention appearance. A quarter million (or even more) in just two days! Crazy!

I am friends with an actor who makes 75% of his annual income just from conventions and I think he was 4th or 5th on the call sheet from a sci fi show that ran in first run syndication back in the early 00s. I haven't seen his bank account statement, but he appears to live a nice upper middle class existence. I was told that once you are in the sci-fi/fantasy and or nostalgia world you will never have to act again unless you want to.

Or if you have a successful talk show like Oprah or Ellen.

I remember seeing on TV about 12 years ago they said Oprah was making $3 million dollars a show in advertisement money. That's $15 million dollars a week right there. And of course all of that money went straight to Oprah's production company Harpo. No wonder she's a multi billionaire today.

And then there's Ellen. I've heard that she makes north of $70 million dollars a year from her talk show. It's been on for nearly 20 years now and her show is still really popular with everyone.

So for most people who are lucky enough to land a talk show usually end up in set for life money especially if it runs for a long time.

Rickie lake is another one whose still really rich and her talk show went of the air years.

All three of these women are actors. But the talk show world was really good to them financially speaking. Their all set for life.

So, r164, which Stargate are we talking?

Rosie O'Donnell said she walked away from $100 million to continue her talk show R165. Talk shows are cheap to produce and can make a lot of money.

Rosie said she quit her talk show after her accountant told her she had $100 million dollars in the bank. And that was after six seasons of her show. I would have continued doing it for at least another six years. So I would've at least had $400/$600 million in the bank.

I think Rosie quite to soon. She's done other talk shows since. Like The View and Rosie for the Oprah Winfrey Network. She'll never get back what she gave up.

Staci Keanan of Step by Step fame went to law school after the show ended and now works as an attorney in California.

Quinn Cummings started her own business.

Kristy McNichol teaches acting.

Tiffany Brisette of Small Wonder became an RN.

Yes, talk show $$$ is serious $$$! Kelly Ripa has a $30million townhouse on the UES and a mansion in the Hamptons.

Rosie said she quit because she wanted to spend more time with her kids R168.

When I got #4 and #5.

Apparently, when Oprah started her show in Chicago, Roger Ebert advised her that the way to profit financially was not just to appear on a show but to OWN the show.

Something is wrong when a dimwit like Kelly Ripa can make a fortune from a simpleton talk show.

R163 Norman Reedus just bought a townhouse with Diane Kruger in the West Village for $11.75M - He’s doing VERY WELL

No R175. It says they bought the place. We don't know who put up the money.

I don't think Diane Kruger could put up 11.7 million by herself.

Kelly Ripa makes $25 million dollars a year from LIVE! And she's not leaving that show anytime soon.

She said herself, she fell ass backwards into an unbelievable situation by landing that gig.

She sure did too.

It's really good to work in the American media and entertainment industry. Because it pays excessive amounts of money to its entertainment figures.

Oprah become a multi billionaire from doing a talk show. Film stars can make $15/$25 million dollars plus per film. Sitcom stars can make $1 million dollars plus per episode if their on a hit network show. Evening news reporters can make $15/20 million dollars a year doing the national news. Even reality tv stars are paid millions if their on a hit show. The Kardashians.

Is this just America who pays entertainment and media figures ungodly amounts of money. Or do any other country in the world pay their media and entertainment figures as generously as America does? I'm really curious about this.

Because I've never really seen where other countries pay as well in their entertainment and media industry as America does.

Maybe that's part of the reason so many foreigners come to the US to work in our media industry. We're very generous with the money.

Thoughts and feedback please.

R179, most working entertainers/actors/musicians never see that kind of money. They go from gig to gig, making a regular living. The money you speak of is for a very select few.

R179, other countries do not pay as well as the U.S. The U.S. has the world's third largest population, after China and India. Therefore, there is a large potential audience.

[quote]I'm curious about something. When A-List film and television stars get their checks and sign them. Do they actually go deposit them into the bank themselves or do they hand them over to their manager or accountant and they make the deposit for them?

Oprah did a whole spiel on her one rule is that she always is the one that signs everything. Nobody signs anything for her. It's probably why she's never gotten screwed over.

[quote]Lifestyle creep is a very real thing, you get accustomed to having more and more money.

I think the wisest celebs, and there are very few, are the ones who realize that they make more money than most people and stick to just tending to their basic needs.

Sarah Jessica Parker is loaded but she's also notoriously frugal as hell.

Rob Gronkowski claimed he hasn't spent a dime of the money he made from playing football and sticks to just spending the money he makes from endorsements.

Wasn't it MC Hammer who had a house with heated floors? It wasn't a shock when he went broke.

[quote]How much do the think those annoying 1 800 Kars for Kids made off that commercial?

Oh, I can guarantee that's a shitty non-union commercial, and those kids were paid $1500 each as a total buyout in perpetuity. Non-union commercials and cheap companies/producers have mostly destroyed SAG's grip on commercials, so those huge paychecks are mostly a thing of the past, though a few do still get lucky with long-running spots.

yes, MC Hammer also kept hundreds of people on his payroll.

What does having radiant floor heating have to do with him going broke R182?

MC, you were really great in the 90s.

But you didn't need to have heated flooring.

You could have put on slippers like everyone else.

Again with the talk show money. Johnny Carson after 30 years of doing the tonight show walked away with something like $450 million dollars. Set for life money.

He walked away and never looked back again. When his Tonight show run was over and he handed it over to Jay Leno he was done with Hollywood. At least publicly. I'm sure he continued his relationships quietly. But as far as continuing to work. No!

He left the business filthy rich. Talk shows are definitely good for making big money.

It's not how much you earn that defines whether you're "set for life" but how much you spend to support your lifestyle.

The key to to making the big bucks in a talk show is OWNERSHIP

Carson, Rosie and Oprah all owned their show - thus being able to walk away with over 100 million. That was a sticking point for Letterman. His NBC show was owned by Carson. He bolted to CBS so he could own his own show. Letterman also owns a piece of "Everybody Loves Raymond"

R188 I say that all the time. It's always about what you spend.

Very true.

What about Phil Donahue? How's he doing? His talk show ran even longer than Oprahs did. But I don't think he ever reached Oprah level money. But I'm sure he's still very wealthy.

Exactly. Letterman is another very wealthy talk show guy. With hundreds of millions in the bank.

A lot of Letterman's wealth comes from his production company, Worldwide Pants, R192.

I'm taking a History of Film & Theatre class this summer and I really hate to see it end. I wish I'd taken it during the normal semester because it's been so interesting and fun. Plus, the professor teaching it is visiting and he's hot as fucking fire. He's 36 and comes in dressed in these beautiful slim fitted dress shirts that emphasize his biceps and pec muscles. His dress pants hug his butt and it's all we can do to keep from molesting him in class. He's got thick blonde hair and green eyes and his big white smile is the pride of some orthodontist's work. Everyone in the class in in love with him.

Anyways, R156, a few days ago we were talking about luck versus talent in Hollywood and examples of each. Jensen Ackles and his costar were at the very tip top of the Luck Category. (Streep, Penn and Day-Lewis were at the top of the Talent List.) General consensus was that were it not for the onscreen chemistry he and his costar have (I can't remember the costar's name) and their show being on the CW where low ratings are par for the course, they would be working in a Foot Locker somewhere in Texas!

[quote]He walked away and never looked back again. When his Tonight show run was over and he handed it over to Jay Leno he was done with Hollywood. At least publicly. I'm sure he continued his relationships quietly. But as far as continuing to work. No!

One of Johnny's sons said that Johnny didn't want to turn into Bob Hope. An ancient old man who stopped being funny many years earlier, but was still delusional enough to think he was a laugh riot. Johnny never liked Bob Hope all that much, but Hope had NBC by the balls and just showed up on The Tonight Show whenever he felt like it. Johnny just thought he was pathetic. Better to retire with some dignity.

Didn't Bob hope live to be 100?

Reedus supposedly just bought an 11M townhouse. That's a lot of pictures.

That's a very rude comment R194 and #metoo on behalf of your professor.

It's all luck. Do you have any idea how many talented actors are not working? There's a reason why it's called "a big break". There are very few naturals in this business. Acting is about a good script and a good director and having the right look and the right agent. Do you really think "The Chrises" are all that far removed from Riverdale or some other CW show?

[quote]One of Johnny's sons said that Johnny didn't want to turn into Bob Hope. An ancient old man who stopped being funny many years earlier, but was still delusional enough to think he was a laugh riot. Johnny never liked Bob Hope all that much, but Hope had NBC by the balls and just showed up on The Tonight Show whenever he felt like it. Johnny just thought he was pathetic. Better to retire with some dignity.

Johnny was pushed out. He accepted what was happening, but wasn't ready to go. NBC was ready for him to go.

The cast of Friends is an example of those who have earned "fuck you" money.

As in, they made enough they don't ever HAVE to work again. Perry's sadly snorted and drank through a lot of his. But I'm sure each has at least 30-40M, and that's a low estimate.

Ellen Pompeo at Grey's is probably approaching that. She's smart for doing it, because her post Grey's career will likely be more production sided. She's probably forever typecast now as Meredith.

[quote] The conventions really are how a lot of these actors keep things afloat.

DL favorite John Wesley Shipp has been on a tour of conventions for a while now. He's back in the spotlight since he was The Flash in the 90s and is on the new show, too, and the number of fans who rave about meeting him online is pretty sizable. (Like John's cock......)

A movie franchise will set you up for life. Keanu Reeves is worth about 250M from The Matrix and John Wick.

John Wick was hardly a big money maker R202.

John Wick is a successful franchise, they are releasing a 3rd installment next year r203.

Not really R204. The first movie had a budget of $30 million and made $76 million. The second was $40 million and made $176 million. These are OK numbers, but not spectacular for a franchise.

What were the foreign numbers r205.

The numbers I posted were domestic and foreign combined.

It's all about how you manage you're money is what really matters.

Just don't try to live like a billionaire if you're not in that stratosphere.

You will live to regret it. Ha!

You're an unadulterated moron, r198. By your logic it would be "rude" for colleges to teach that Shakespeare was a better writer than Danielle Stelle. Rude? Then you want to bring in the MeToo Movement? WTF! I'm not r194, but their point was that there are thousands and thousands of more talented actors who don't don't ever get a shot. Even so, just like in every competitive field, cream tends to rise to the top. Still, some who have very basic skills DO get lucky. You make success in the the entertainment industry sound akin to winning the lottery.

I though John Wick was bigger than that.

[Quote] Anyways, [R156], a few days ago we were talking about luck versus talent in Hollywood and examples of each. Jensen Ackles and his costar were at the very tip top of the Luck Category. (Streep, Penn and Day-Lewis were at the top of the Talent List.) General consensus was that were it not for the onscreen chemistry he and his costar have (I can't remember the costar's name) and their show being on the CW where low ratings are par for the course, they would be working in a Foot Locker somewhere in Texas!

Eh they both would have ended up on another show. Not sure which co-star you mean Jared Padalecki or Misha Collins. They both have their crazies.

[quote] Jensen Ackles and his costar were at the very tip top of the Luck Category. (Streep, Penn and Day-Lewis were at the top of the Talent List.) General consensus was that were it not for the onscreen chemistry he and his costar have (I can't remember the costar's name) and their show being on the CW where low ratings are par for the course, they would be working in a Foot Locker somewhere in Texas!

That's not quite true. The show for good, bad, or indifferent, has made it 14 seasons and counting. Few shows, even on CW, make it that long. Luck implies that any two actors could have done the same. Now, I don't think either are going to win acting awards, but you're missing a third factor beyond talent and luck - and ineffable something that makes certain people stand out more than others. Even chemistry between co-stars is only going to carry you so far.

possibly R211 but likely not one that has lasted as long as the one they are on. And probably not one with convention earning potential. I am not R198 or 209 but I believe that was the teacher's point regarding luck as opposed to talent, and I absolutely agree with it. There are lots of actors who are just lucky, not necessarily talented, just lucky, like the Supernatural CW Actors. Then there are those who are massively talented and got lucky in getting a break so that talent could be showcased.

Talent is a nice extra. A prize at the bottom of the Cracker Jack Box. But you don't need talent to be a star or have a successful career. It annoys the fuck out of me when people slag on soap opera actors or actors on the CW. Acting is acting, some do it better than others and other get opportunities that put them in a certain box, but at the end of the day it's all luck and chance and being at the right place at the right time.

Former child star Miranda Cosgrove was in the 3 "Despicable Me" movies. According to IMDb, they have grossed 2.5 BILLION dollars worldwide. She must have had a good agent, because at one point, she was the highest paid child star on television, getting $180,000 per episode for "iCarly, on Nickelodeon, no less. Don't really know what kind of points a fourth-billed actor would get, but I think she's SET FOR LIFE

[Quote] possibly [R211] but likely not one that has lasted as long as the one they are on. And probably not one with convention earning potential.

Probably not as long but if it was a sci-fi show they'd be doing [italic]ok[/italic] convention wise. We'll never know.

Goddam, R198, why did you have to go and mention fucking Supernatural! Now the one or two freaks who are think Jensen's every fart is Emmy worthy and are going to post multiple messages condemning anyone for criticsing Jensen's ART!

Keanu Reeves lives a frugal lifestyle and he probably won't end up with money issues like Johnny Depp.

Kristin Davis falls into the 'luck' category. If it weren't for Sex And The City doubtful she would have had a career beyond the 1990's.

I'm R198, and I'd like to be clear that it was our class that decided whether someone fell into the Luck or Talent Category, not our professor. Our professor did say that the Supernatural men, Jensen and the tall one, were consistently placed in the Luck Category by all of his prior classes. (He said Jennifer Lawrence was also seen by other classes as someone more lucky than talented.)

Not to offend those who might be fans of the CW show--and I get the impression a couple of you are--but you have to admit that these guys are not the most talented actors out there! In their early years, one of them won some sort of contest that got him into the business and the other one was a model. It's not as though they followed Meryl Streep's path by graduating from Yale with a master's degree in drama , or even Jessica Chastain's who graduated from Julliard. On top of that, what are the odds that they would get gigs with someone with whom they had such excellent onscreen chemistry--something that my class felt was the life's blood of their show? [italic]Then[/italic] there's the fact that their show is on the CW where low ratings are the norm. (Our class said that the show hardly ever breaks two million viewers a week.) [italic]Then[/italic] throw the lucrative conventions into the mix and you've got a veritable perfect storm of luck.

Sure, Meryl and others had to have a bit of luck but there aren't thousands upon thousands of other actors out there every bit as talented as Sean Penn, Daniel Day-Lewis and Meryl Streep. Yet there are a kazillion people out there with Jensen Ackles's acting range.

WHY, R220??? WHY????? R217 is right. Now that you've mentioned that ridiculous show the fraus are going to start posting over and over again.

We are doomed.

[quote]Meryl and others had to have a bit of luck but there aren't thousands upon thousands of other actors out there every bit as talented as Sean Penn, Daniel Day-Lewis and Meryl Streep. Yet there are a kazillion people out there with Jensen Ackles's acting range.

This^^^

If an aspiring performer of exceptional caliber gets a little help from the universe then their talent carries them through to at least some degree of success. However, the more marginally talented have to have something else, be it a combination of luck and fantastic looks, chemistry, SOMETHING.

The fraus love Ackles and Reedus. They stand in line for hours and pay hundreds of dollars for a picture. They'll watch anything these two talentless dopes are in.

The Kardashians are all set for life but they won’t disappear. I think they make more money off makeup than the show now.

I'm totally mystified as to who the audience for the Kardashians are. Everybody I've ever known can't stand them and doesn't buy any of their merchandise or watch their tv show. Obviously, they do have a fan base but I have no idea who those people could be.

Is Keanu sober now? He used to drink a lot!!! And drugs. Must have wasted a lot on drugs but he’s done well for himself considering his talent or the lack of

R226 He might have spent a lot on drugs and booze. There have been articles and stories from people who have worked with him who have stated that he doesn't spend a lot of money on cars, luxury items, and other things. If he is sober and still has a good nest egg-he might be ok in the long run.

Keanu makes whatever movies he wants because The Matrix set him up for life. He doesn't care about making commercial films because he doesn't need the money. I'd love to be in that position.

Keanu, Tom and Brad have all made very good financial decisions and genuinely should be, barring some unforeseen mistake or catastrophe, set for life. The Supernatural/Jensen/Jared Fan Brigade on Datalounge is one of the most bizzare around. Those two are miserably bad actors on a miserably bad show. Plus, one of them is in cahoots with Duck Dynasty homophobes. I will never understand the appeal.

R144, I do not know if you are still working, but few people get checks anymore. Payment is usually done by electronic deposit.

And those that do get checks, usually deposit by phone rather than in person.

I still take my checks to the bank because I only get two or three a year. But people make fun of me, because no one else does that.

yes, but TLC is cheap and actors aren't paid as much as other cable like HBO or Showtime. They so cheap, the plot of the stupid show is always around woods. no need to spend money to build sets!

yes, Keanu doesn't need a million cars, he wears shitty shoes that he duck tapes lol.

What about Kim Raver? Does anyone think she is set for life? She still loves to act. She currently plays Teddy on Grey's Anatomy.

[Quote] Jensen and the tall one

Lol

[Quote] Not to offend those who might be fans of the CW show--and I get the impression a couple of you are--but you have to admit that these guys are not the most talented actors out there!

No argument here. But those types usually do end up on a CW show.

[Quote] Then there's the fact that their show is on the CW where low ratings are the norm. (Our class said that the show hardly ever breaks two million viewers a week.)

I think i read the CW does things a little differently in comparison to the other networks.

R229 Tom Hanks or Tom Cruise? I think Tammy Cruise has given most of his dough to $cientology.

I read that Budweiser commercials used to always end with the same recording of a woman going “ahhhh”, like she just took a taste of something delicious. That made her rich.

Also, I heard that the MGM lion’s roar is actually an actor’s voice, who also got rich.

The Wilhelm Scream does not pay royalties, see link.

[quote]When are actors "set for life"?

Ask Dennis Franz

I imagine that certain actors will need security staff indefinitely, as well a staff to shop for them or for other reasons, least they be driven nuts by the paparazzi and autograph fans, so they would have expenses that regular people do not have. (JFK Jr. learned to fly to avoid having to take commercial flights, for example.)

David Morse got his start on St. Elsewhere. He's in a lot of famous movies, like Green Mile, Hut Locker, WW Z, or Hunt for Red October, but is often uncredited. My bet is that he’s made more money than a lot of A-list actors, and he can still go out of the house without being worried about being chased by weirdo fans or paparazzi.

The best song writing gig is to pen a seasonal hit. Even Bing Crosby’s White Christmas is still getting air play in Decembers.

[quote]A few years ago Charlie Sheen was one of the richest actors in the world. He should have been set for life no matter how long he lived. And today he's not so rich.

Using this loon as any sort of template is absurd. He was/is a druggie, alcoholic and sex addict. He basically blew a lot of his money on his addictions. Doesn't Sheen have two ex-wives he had kids with, so there's that.

It's easy to blow millions if you are an an idiot and have non clue how to manage your money and make it grow.

What about celebs who hire unscrupulous accountants, managers and other nefarious weirdos? I remember reading, years ago, Sting lost millions and he didn't even realize it!

As mentioned up thread R241 most of these people have others writing the checks so it is not a surprise they are clueless about their finances.

There are a small number of narrators on Discovery Channel, or NatGeo Channel, or Science Channel, that sound like they have multiple series going at the same time. One sounds a lot like NBC’s Richard Engle, but that seems unlikely. I wonder how those pay?

I have a small fear of being taken for everything in my dotage. Just look at everybody that Bernie Madoff took. Very few people thought he could be a crook, especially his relatives!

[Quote] Using this loon as any sort of template is absurd. He was/is a druggie, alcoholic and sex addict. He basically blew a lot of his money on his addictions.

Charlie clearly underestimated the power of tiger blood.

R230, I used to use an ATM to deposit checks. No reason to actually go in a bank. Then, I started mailing whatever checks I received, to my bank. In the most recent years, I deposit them from home by taking a photo of the check and submitting it through an app. The only drawback is a little time lag.

Jim Backus was allegedly a bitter old sourpuss because he didn’t get residuals from Gilligan’s Island or from Mr. Magoo.

A lot of actors who worked on shows from the 60s and 70s didn't get residuals because creators, networks, and studios screwed them over. I think other Gilligan's Island cast members spoke out about how Sherwood Schwartz screwed them over.

I recall reading an article years ago that the cast of The Waltons didn't receive residuals either.

I know people who have done a few episodes of star trek TNG or DS9 who make 100K a year just on going to autograph conventions.

Stars who we're on television back in the 60s and 70s made good $$$$ but nothing compared to what A-List stars of television make today.

Stars today are wealthier than they've ever been before. Because networks pay so much more and salaries for actors on hit shows are way more extravagant then ever before.

The quality of the work was better back then. But the $$$$ Hollywood pays today is so much better now and if you manage you're finances properly. You really won't even have to invest it. You could live off the interest alone. And just live with in you're means and you'll be fine.

Do people still think “living off the interest” is sound financial advice? Do you not understand the concept of compounding interest and inflation?

[quote]There are a small number of narrators on Discovery Channel, or NatGeo Channel, or Science Channel, that sound like they have multiple series going at the same time. One sounds a lot like NBC’s Richard Engle, but that seems unlikely. I wonder how those pay?

I remember reading something about those narrators make between between $100 to $500 per hour and they do get some residuals.

How much money would the voice over lady from House Hunters make? The one that sounds like Wendie Malick.

[quote]I think i read the CW does things a little differently in comparison to the other networks.

Uh, yeah, like make crappy shows with crappy actors with crappy ratings the norm? That's the kind of "different" you meant? Cuz that's the only kind of "different" there is.

R254 Lol i meant more in how they decide what tv shows gets renewed/cancelled.

"And just live with in you're means and you'll be fine."

Who in Hollywood does that?

R256 Lot of people, believe it or not. Not everyone is financially irresponsible. Some people want financial security for life.

I know I do.

I'm really curious about how music licensing works and how much it pays. How much can a songwriter earn for allowing a song to be placed in a movie? Do they earn royalties every time the song is aired on TV? Or every time a DVD is sold?

Jim Parsons is probably set for life. He just turned down 50 mil for 2 more years of TBBT.

Unless he goes Johnny Depp nuts...he's fine.

[quote]I'm really curious about how music licensing works and how much it pays. How much can a songwriter earn for allowing a song to be placed in a movie? Do they earn royalties every time the song is aired on TV? Or every time a DVD is sold?

Some studios and networks have replaced the music for some TV show DVD sets because of royalties. Music licensing has been issue the reason some TV shows haven't released on DVD or Blu-Ray. It took a long time for The Wonder Years to get a release.

It will be interesting to see where his career goes R259. His movie bombed and he is not a leading man. Looks like he might be more suited for theatre.

R261 He had a career in theater before TV.

at hit song can get you a shit ton of cash. I remember when Michael Damian redid Rock on and got a #1 out of it. He said in an interview jokingly when asked about the original song writer liking his version he said "he should it made him about a million dollars extra."

I know R262. That is why I stated he was more suited for theatre.

R259 I thought they just cancelled TBBT after 12 seasons? When did he turn down $50 million dollars? Any actor turning down that kind of money is crazy. Unless he feels as though he has enough money to live comfortably for the rest of there life.

I'd take it even if I was burned out. Money is way to hard to come by in the world to turn down that amount for two more years of work.

That's easy $$$$$.

R265 considering that he has been making a million an episode for the last few years, why would he need 50 more?

At a certain point you have more money than you could ever spend.

Those actors who get cast in superhero movies are super lucky, that shit makes money no matter who stars in it, but they still get big paychecks

Alex Chilton (and later his estate) got $70 each time That 70's Show aired because they used his song (he was a co-writer too) "In the Street" for its theme song. I'm sure they amount is much less today.

You can make a lot of money if someone covers a song you wrote. Dolly Parton thanked Whitney Houston for buying one of her houses with royalties she received from Whitney cover of the song. It was a huge hit.

That should be for covering Parton's I Will Always Love You.

The song was I Will Always Love You R268