Ted McGinley, best known for his roles in classic television series, has revealed that his residual cheques from past shows are so insignificant that he often does not even bother to cash them.
A Penny for Your Thoughts
In a recent interview with the New York Post's Page Six, McGinley discussed the diminishing returns from his work on iconic sitcoms. The actor, who appeared on series such as Happy Days, The Love Boat, Dynasty, and notably Married With Children, where he was a series regular for seven seasons, shared his experience with residual payments.
“Eventually, it doesn’t become that much,” McGinley said of the payouts. “I was on The Love Boat for three-and-a-half seasons. I was on Happy Days for four seasons. I mean, I’ve been getting residuals all the time.” He revealed that he has a stack of cheques for as little as one cent. “I keep them as a trophy for how inane the system is. Cost a fortune to send it to me,” he joked.
McGinley, now 67, noted that any cheque above two dollars is worth cashing, but those below that threshold are simply kept as mementos. “Anything above $1.89 is going in,” he quipped.
Finding His Groove on Shrinking
Currently, McGinley is enjoying a career resurgence playing the lovable Derek on Apple TV's Shrinking. His role as the happy-go-lucky husband of Liz, played by Christa Miller, has expanded significantly since the first season. “I never in my wildest dreams imagined that I would get this shot,” he told the outlet.
McGinley expressed his amazement at working alongside Hollywood legends, particularly Harrison Ford. “I remember always going in on films and whatnot and thinking, ‘I wonder what it would be like, I’d just give anything to see what it would be like to work opposite a guy like Harrison Ford, just the biggest movie star in the world. What is it like?’” He described the experience as a gift. “It’s amazing. This has been that gift. I never thought I would be on a show like this. I’m so honoured that they would allow me to be a part of it.”
McGinley’s career also includes roles on Hope & Faith, Sports Night, and The West Wing. Despite the low residual cheques, his passion for acting remains undiminished.
