David Krumholtz makes approximately $150 a year in residual payments from The Santa Clause, the 1994 holiday classic where he played head elf Bernard alongside Tim Allen. The actor revealed the surprisingly minimal earnings in an exclusive interview with Page Six on May 26, explaining how the residual payment structure works against him despite the film’s enduring popularity.
Quick Facts
- Krumholtz earns about $150 annually from The Santa Clause franchise
- He appeared in the original 1994 film and its 2002 sequel
- Residuals decline each time the movie airs due to a “grade scale” payment system
- His highest current residual earnings come from 2023’s Oppenheimer at $12.73 per year
“They’re minimal because the movie plays so much,” Krumholtz told Page Six. “This is how residuals work: Every time it plays, you make less. It’s a grade scale.” The actor, now 48, recalled that when he first began receiving residual checks from the Christmas film, “it was good,” but the payments have dwindled over decades as the movie continues its annual television rotation.
When asked for a precise figure on his Oppenheimer residuals, Krumholtz jokingly replied, “It’s $12.73. It’s enough to buy a hot dog in New York.” Despite his iconic role in The Santa Clause, which grossed $190.3 million worldwide, Krumholtz’s current earnings from the franchise barely register compared to more recent work.
David Krumholtz reveals he makes $150 a year in Santa Clause residuals
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Krumholtz’s career has extended far beyond the holiday classic. He starred in “10 Things I Hate About You” and the “Harold & Kumar” franchise, and played mathematician Charlie Eppes in the CBS series “Numb3rs.” He is currently set to appear in the film “Supergirl” and is performing in the New York City Center revival of “Are You Now or Have You Ever Been,” a play based on transcripts from 1940s House Committee on Un-American Activities hearings.
Sources
- Page Six — Exclusive interview with David Krumholtz detailing his residual earnings from The Santa Clause and other films
- E! News — Coverage of Krumholtz’s minimal residual pay from the 1994 Tim Allen-starring film
- Us Weekly — Report on Krumholtz’s shocking residual pay from the hit film
- The Independent — Article on the actor’s residual payments from the beloved Christmas film
