David Krumholtz, who played head elf Bernard in the 1994 holiday classic “The Santa Clause” and its 2002 sequel, revealed he makes just $150 per year from residuals on the beloved Christmas franchise.
“They’re minimal because the movie plays so much,” Krumholtz told Page Six at a press day in May. “Every time it plays, you make less. It’s a grade scale.” The actor explained that while his initial residual checks from the film were substantial, the ongoing payments have dwindled dramatically over the decades as the movie continues to air repeatedly during the holiday season.
Despite the minimal Santa Clause earnings, Krumholtz said his current largest residual source is from his 2023 appearance in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” where he played physicist Isidor Isaac Rabi. When pressed for an exact figure on those earnings, he joked that it was enough to buy a hot dog in New York.
The New York City-born actor’s career spans multiple decades and includes roles in “10 Things I Hate About You,” the “Harold & Kumar” franchise, and the CBS series “Numb3rs.” He is set to appear in the upcoming film “Supergirl” and is starring in the New York City Center revival of “Are You Now or Have You Ever Been.”
Sources
- Page Six — Krumholtz’s direct comments about Santa Clause residuals, the grade scale system, and Oppenheimer earnings
- E! News — Confirmation of the $150 annual figure and residuals details
- Yahoo Entertainment — Additional reporting on the residuals revelation and Krumholtz’s career
