Dylan Sprouse Reveals He Got Just 5 Cents in Residuals
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody star shared that despite the show's huge popularity, he's only received one residual paycheck for a crossover episode with Hannah Montana, and it was for just five cents
Dylan Sprouse has revealed that he received a residual paycheck for just five cents for his work on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. The paycheck was for a crossover episode with Hannah Montana. Despite the show's huge popularity during its three-season run from 2005 to 2008, Sprouse has not received any other residual paychecks.
The show was a massive success, beating The Sopranos in ratings at one point. It was also translated into 80 different languages, allowing it to be broadcast in different countries. The show's popularity led to a spinoff, The Suite Life on Deck, which aired from 2008 to 2011.
The cast had a contract that allowed Disney to shoot as many episodes in one calendar year and call it one season. This meant that the cast did not receive bumps in pay for additional episodes. Phill Lewis, who played hotel manager Mr. Moseby, recalled that one season, they shot 30 episodes of television, but it was still considered just one season.
Sprouse shared the information on his podcast, Wildmen, and expressed surprise that he had not received more residual paychecks. He noted that the show was extremely popular, but also extremely underfunded. Despite the lack of residual paychecks, Sprouse does not regret his time on the show, saying that he made lifelong friends within the cast.
## What it means The revelation highlights the complexities of residual paychecks in the entertainment industry. While The Suite Life of Zack & Cody was a huge success, the cast's contract and the lack of streaming services at the time meant that they did not receive the residual paychecks that they might have expected. The show's popularity and success have endured, but the cast's financial rewards have been limited.
## Background The Suite Life of Zack & Cody was a Disney Channel show that followed the titular characters as they lived at the Tipton Hotel. The show was known for its light-hearted and family-friendly content, and it quickly became a favorite among young viewers. The show's success led to a spinoff and numerous merchandise opportunities, but the cast's financial rewards have been limited due to their contract and the lack of residual paychecks.
