Full Breakdown
Andrew Keegan Discusses Minimal Residual Checks from 1990s Projects
5/26/2026, 1:08:52 PM
Core Event: Disclosure of Residual Payments
During a May 7 appearance on *The McBride Rewind* podcast hosted by Josh McBride, actor Andrew Keegan detailed the size of the residual checks he continues to receive from his 1990s film and television work. He described many of the payments as “one-cent checks” that are “not worth my time.”
Background & Context: Keegan’s 1990s Roles and Residual System
Keegan rose to prominence playing Joey Donner in the 1999 teen rom-com *10 Things I Hate About You*, a film that also starred Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Following that role he appeared in *The Broken Hearts Club* (2000) and held guest spots on series such as *Full House*, *7th Heaven*, and *House*. Residual payments—periodic checks issued for continued broadcast or streaming of a project—are a standard component of actors’ compensation, though the amounts can vary widely.
Data & Statistics: Check Amounts and Sources
- Keegan reports receiving “one-cent checks” from several shows.
- He noted that mailing a check costs roughly $0.40, exceeding its face value.
- The smallest checks are often $10, while the largest he receives range up to $80.
- According to Keegan, the most substantial residuals still come from *10 Things I Hate About You*.
Official Statements & Responses: Summary of Keegan’s Remarks
Keegan emphasized that the negligible size of many checks makes tracking their source impractical, stating he rarely verifies which project generated a one-cent payment. He highlighted that, despite the low amounts, residuals continue to arrive from multiple past projects. The actor also reaffirmed that *10 Things I Hate About You* remains his highest-earning source among his older work, with checks varying between $10 and $80.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I think it's really funny, cause I'll get, different shows obviously, but I'll get one cent checks,” — Andrew Keegan, actor
- “It costs like 40 cents to send in the mail…” — Andrew Keegan, actor
- “ He then noted that sometimes he does not even check which project the one-cent checks are for, since the small amount is "not worth my time.” — Andrew Keegan, actor
- “But yeah, we get residuals, you know—I think 10 Things are probably the biggest checks still, but there are still residuals that come from all those shows,” — Andrew Keegan, actor
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The podcast interview provides Keegan’s personal accounting of his residuals; no independent verification or alternative figures appear in the source material. Consequently, the exact frequency of payments and the precise total earnings from all residual sources remain unconfirmed.
Why It Matters: Implications for Ongoing Actor Earnings
Keegan’s comments illustrate that residual income from older projects can be minimal, sometimes falling below the cost of processing the payment. For actors whose primary earnings stem from past work, such low-value checks may have limited financial impact, underscoring the variability of residual compensation within the entertainment industry.
