Mandy Moore Says She Makes “Pennies” From ‘This Is Us’ Residuals Checks

The entire cast of ‘Friends‘ still make millions every year from reruns of their show playing around the world. They are set for life. Heck, their children and grandchildren are set for life.

But they signed their contract decades ago, before streaming became a thing. These days, actors and writers are getting screwed out of money because studios and streaming networks have failed to create a model that actually rewards performers for their show’s success.

Just take a look at Mandy Moore. She was the star of the hit NBC show ‘This Is Us‘ but she receives very little via residuals because Hulu purchased the show a few years back.

The 39-year-old actress told the Hollywood Reporter that she often receives residuals checks totaling less than a dollar.

The residual issue is a huge issue. We’re in incredibly fortunate positions as working actors having been on shows that found tremendous success in one way or another … but many actors in our position for years before us were able to live off of residuals or at least pay their bills. I receive very tiny, like 81-cent checks. I was talking with my business manager who said he’s received a residual for a penny and two pennies.

Moore was joined on the picket line by ‘Scandal‘ star Katie Lowes, who said since Netflix obtained the streaming rights to Scandal, she’s been making only pennies.

And this is a huge reason both writers and actors are on strike. The two big issues are streaming rights/residuals and the threat of AI taking some jobs away.

So far, the studios refuse to work with them, but something’s gotta give.