‘Abbott Elementary’ Star William Stanford Davis Reveals Astonishing Residual Check Worth a Mere 5 Cents - Unbelievable!

After spending decades in the acting industry, William Stanford Davis continues to receive meager residuals. In a recent Instagram video on Friday, July 21, the 71-year-old star of "Abbott Elementary" expressed his frustration, stating, "I've been a screen actor for 35 years, and I've been a part of the guild for about 32 years. This residual paycheck that I'm holding up speaks volumes about my current situation."

Davis, who plays the role of custodian Mr. Johnson on the popular ABC sitcom, recently shared that he received a meager sum of $0.05 for an undisclosed rerun of a previous TV show he appeared on. Expressing his disbelief, he emphasized that the cost of postage and paper alone exceeds this amount. Davis points out that this is indicative of the low regard for actors and serves as a rallying cry for their ongoing strike, advocating for improved wages, better residuals, a share of subscription profits, and resistance against the use of artificial intelligence.

Earlier this month, Fran Drescher, the president of the SAG-AFTRA union, announced that their board had approved a strike. This decision came as a result of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) refusing to meet any of their terms during contract negotiations. The union, which represents TV and film actors across the United States, is advocating for fair compensation in terms of salaries and residuals, as well as clear guidelines concerning the use of artificial intelligence in relation to performers' likenesses.

Drescher, who is 65 years old, revealed on CBS Mornings on Wednesday, July 19 that the negotiations have come to a standstill since the strike commenced. The former Nanny star expressed a desire to engage in talks with the opposing party, emphasizing that they had agreed to immediate discussions. However, it appears that they are deliberately avoiding communication, leaving the situation at an impasse. Despite claims that the strike would halt operations, the other party has yet to come to the negotiating table. It seems that they prefer to employ the tactic of stonewalling, which is causing significant obstacles for us.

Numerous actors have joined the picket lines in both Los Angeles and New York City to demonstrate their support, with some even sharing their residuals to reinforce the reasons behind the strike.

"Our industry is highly unpredictable and throughout my career as a performer spanning over 20 years, there have been highs and lows. There were times when I struggled to find work, and historically actors relied on residuals from previous projects to support themselves during those difficult periods," Mandy Moore shared on Instagram. She mentioned receiving checks of just $0.81 for recurring viewings of the critically acclaimed show "This Is Us". "Times have changed, and I hope we can find a meaningful solution for the future."

Meanwhile, Davis expressed his stance on Friday, stating that he will continue his strike until actors receive the necessary support to sustain their livelihoods.

He also captioned his post: “There ain’t nothing funny about a .03¢ residual check! What are we supposed to do with that?”