Show summary Hide summary
- Why his Santa Clause residuals are barely jingling
- From elf to nuclear drama: where he earns the most now
- Career highlights that shape residual streams
- Returning to the stage: portraying Abe Burrows
- How the HUAC hearings inform the performance
- Upcoming screen and stage projects to watch
- What his candid comments reveal about industry pay
David Krumholtz says the yuletide gold from his role in The Santa Clause has run cold. The actor, known for playing Bernard the elf, told reporters his holiday-era checks are now tiny, and he joked about a laughably small payout from Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer.
Why his Santa Clause residuals are barely jingling
Krumholtz explained that the payment model for TV and streaming repeats is a sliding scale. The more a program is broadcast, the smaller each subsequent residual becomes. He noted that early payouts felt meaningful, but decades of reruns have eroded that boost.
100,000 Chase points: score business-class flights to Japan
Rhea Ripley injury update: major setback leaves fans furious
- Current estimate: roughly $150 per year from The Santa Clause franchise.
- Reason: frequent airings reduce the per-play residual amount.
- Career context: Krumholtz first earned larger residuals when the film’s TV circulation was more limited.
From elf to nuclear drama: where he earns the most now
While holiday film checks have dwindled, Krumholtz says his recent work on a major feature has outpaced older franchise returns. He referenced his part in the 2023 hit Oppenheimer as his current top residual source.
When asked for specifics, the actor kept the tone light and self-deprecating, then revealed a tiny figure he likened to the price of a New York hot dog. That quip drew attention to how residuals can be unpredictable, even for high-profile titles.
Career highlights that shape residual streams
Krumholtz’s film and TV résumé spans genres and eras. Roles that still generate checks include:
- 1994 holiday blockbuster and its 2002 sequel — Bernard the head elf.
- Television series like Numb3rs, which provided steady episode residuals over time.
- Comedy features such as 10 Things I Hate About You and entries in the Harold & Kumar cycle.
- Recent prestige film appearances, notably Oppenheimer, which now top his residual ledger.
Returning to the stage: portraying Abe Burrows
Krumholtz is currently appearing in a revival titled Are You Now or Have You Ever Been. The play reuses historical transcripts from the House Un-American Activities Committee hearings.
He portrays Abe Burrows, the Broadway writer behind Guys and Dolls and the father of TV director James Burrows. The role explores moral pressure and survival in a fraught cultural moment.
Krumholtz describes Burrows as desperate to escape scrutiny. He said Burrows used humor to deflect interrogation, but that tactic read as transparent. The actor added that he sympathizes with people forced into impossible choices.
How the HUAC hearings inform the performance
The production leans on verbatim testimony to recreate the era’s atmosphere. Performers confront the ways artists were coerced into naming associates and admitting political ties.
- HUAC pushed entertainers to reveal memberships and acquaintances.
- The play frames those exchanges as an early form of public ostracism.
- Krumholtz connected the historical pressure to modern cancel culture debates.
Upcoming screen and stage projects to watch
Beyond the revival, Krumholtz has projects on the horizon. He’s attached to the Supergirl film and continues to take selective stage work in New York.
His choices suggest a career balance between film visibility and theatrical challenges. That mix impacts where his residuals and earnings ultimately come from.
What his candid comments reveal about industry pay
Krumholtz’s anecdotes underline a few broader realities:
- Residual formulas favor frequent plays with diminishing per-play returns.
- Big-name projects don’t always translate to large recurring checks.
- Actors often supplement screen income with stage work and new roles.
The actor’s humor about tiny payouts masks a serious point: fame doesn’t guarantee ongoing royalty wealth, especially as content multiplies across platforms.
