Actress Melissa Joan Hart Receives Residual Payments for Cut Scenes
Actress Melissa Joan Hart is reportedly receiving residual payments from an 80s movie, despite her scenes being cut from the final film. She stated these payments arrive "every few months."
New York, NY, August 26, 2026 —
Actress Melissa Joan Hart is reportedly receiving residual payments for an 80s film, even though her scenes were ultimately removed from the final cut of the movie. The payments, which Hart stated arrive “every few months,” highlight a facet of the film industry’s residual payment structure.
Residuals are payments made to performers, writers, and other creatives when a film or television show is re-broadcast, sold for syndication, or released on home video or streaming platforms. These payments are typically negotiated as part of the collective bargaining agreements between industry unions, such as the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA), and producers or studios.
The specific details regarding the film title, the nature of the scenes that were cut, and the exact terms of the residual agreement were not provided. The duration of these payments and the total amount received by Hart were also not disclosed.
While it is uncommon for actors to receive residuals for scenes that do not appear in the final product, contractual agreements can sometimes stipulate such payments, particularly if the performer was hired and footage was shot before a final decision was made to omit the material. The exact circumstances surrounding Hart’s situation remain unclear.
The trend of residual payments is a significant aspect of industry economics, providing ongoing income for creatives long after initial production has wrapped. However, the distribution and calculation of these payments have also been a subject of ongoing discussion and negotiation within Hollywood, particularly with the rise of new media and streaming services.
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