Abbott Elementary Star's Residual Check Feels Like a Slap in the Face
How Much is Mr. Johnson Worth?
Throughout his decades-long career, William Stanford Davis, the award-winning star of Abbott Elementary, has appeared in countless film and television projects. But apparently, that hasn't provided him with financial security.
The 71-year-old actor recently posted an Instagram video in which he shared a residual check for a rerun of an unspecified series he starred in. The amount on the check is genuinely cringeworthy. Davis received a total of $0.05. Can you believe it?
'I've been a screen actor for 35 years. I've been in the guild about 32 years, and I'll let this speak for itself,' the actor says in the video while showing his paycheck. 'You see that? Can you believe that? That's [five] cents. The postage, the paper, everything costs more than that.'
Davis, who portrays the eccentric custodian Mr. Johnson, a fan favourite on Abbott Elementary, is among the actors actively participating in the Screen Actors Guild strike. This shocking video is his way of demonstrating why the actors are no longer willing to put up with today's status quo.
'This is why we're on strike for better wages, for better residuals [and] for a piece of the subscription and to not give in to AI,' he explains in the video.
A lot of actors have taken to the streets in support of the strike as their union has been unable to reach an agreement with major studios and networks on issues such as fair compensation and better working conditions in the new era of streaming platforms and the increasing use of AI in the entertainment industry.
Other stars have joined Davis in showcasing their nearly non-existent residuals on social media. Thus, Mandy Moore, who portrayed Rebecca Pearson on This Is Us, took to Instagram to share a $0.81 check for a rerun of the globally renowned drama. Additionally, Kimiko Glenn from Orange is the New Black disclosed on TikTok that she earned a total of $27.30 in residuals for a rerun of the popular prison comedy-drama.
Videos like these, shared by globally renowned actors, are a great illustration of why actors are on strike and why millions of viewers support them. Davis stated in his video that he is prepared to strike 'until we get what we need to make a living as actors.' And we are certainly prepared to wait as long as necessary for the third season of Abbott Elementary if it ensures fair pay for its stars.