A former child actor who played a minor role in Titanic has revealed he still receives royalty cheques for his role in the classic film, which was released 25 years ago.
Reece Thompson, 32, appeared in James Cameron’s 1997 film when he was just five years old.
The American-born actor had been given the option of having a small role in a film or starring in a commercial or gasoline advertisement.
His mother thought the film opportunity would be “interesting” and it seems her intuition paid off.
Thompson landed the role of the “little Irish boy” in Titanic, who meets a tragic end alongside his sister and mother when the ship sinks.
Reece Thompson, 32, continues to profit financially from his brief role as a five-year-old in James Cameron’s 1997 classic Titanic.
Despite his minor role, Thompson’s character left a lasting impression on audiences around the world.
Titanic, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, became one of the most successful films in history and still contributes to Thompson’s income.
Although her role consisted of just three scenes and a single line in which she asked her on-screen mother, “What are we doing, Mommy?”, she continues to receive residual payments.
“It’s weird because it’s not in the back of my mind anymore,” Thompson said. Business Insider“It’s not like, ‘Oh, when am I going to get a new Titanic check? ‘ When it happens, it’s like, ‘Oh, great, an extra $100.'”
Over the years, Thompson has racked up around $30,000 (£24,000) for his appearance in Titanic.
Initially, residual checks were more substantial, especially during the film’s peak popularity after its release.
Currently, he typically receives a few hundred dollars a year, although occasionally the checks can be more significant.
Thompson landed the role of the “little Irish boy” in Titanic, who meets a tragic end alongside his sister and mother when the ship sinks.
Although her role consisted of just three scenes and a single line in which she asked her on-screen mother, “What are we doing, Mommy?”, she continues to receive residual payments.
He commented: “There were a couple of times where I thought, ‘Wow, that’s a $250 check. This movie is 12 years old. It’s pretty weird.'”
Thompson’s income is far from enough to live on, but it’s a pleasant surprise whenever it comes.
He currently works as a marketing director at a ski and snowboard resort in Utah, a position that pays the bills much better than his occasional residual income.
Although Thompson doesn’t remember much about her time on the set of Titanic, she does remember the challenge of mastering her character’s Irish accent.
Your accredited role guarantees that you will continue to receive residual payments, unlike extras who do not benefit from such payments.
The child actor’s experience highlights the lasting financial impact that even a minor role in a hit movie can have, proving that sometimes the smallest parts can yield the biggest surprises.