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Former child star reveals huge amount he’s earned in residuals from Titanic

A former child star who had one line in Titanic has revealed how much he’s earned from residuals over the past 25 years.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet pay tribute to Titanic producer Jon Landau

A former child actor who made a brief appearance in the movie Titanic has revealed that he’s still making money from the blockbuster, 25 years on from its release.

Reese Thompson, 32, appeared in a minor role in the 1997 film – directed by James Cameron and starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio – playing a young Irish boy who tragically dies alongside his mother and sister after the “unsinkable” ship hits an iceberg and ends up on the ocean floor.

Reese Thompson appeared in a minor role in <i>Titanic</i>. Picture: Supplied
Reese Thompson appeared in a minor role in Titanic. Picture: Supplied

Titanic made more than $US2 billion worldwide and is one of the most successful movies of all time.

A quarter of a century later, Thompson is still receiving royalty cheques for his brief moment on screen, which included one sentence of dialogue.

Jack (DiCaprio) and Rose (Winslet). Picture: Supplied
Jack (DiCaprio) and Rose (Winslet). Picture: Supplied
Thompson now works at Utah resort. Picture: Supplied
Thompson now works at Utah resort. Picture: Supplied

“It’s weird because it’s not present in my mind anymore,” Thompson told Business Insider. 

“It’s not like, ‘Oh, when am I going to get a new Titanic cheque?’ When it happens, it’s like, ‘Oh, cool, an extra $100.’”

In total, he estimated that he had earned around $47,000 from his appearance in Titanic.

Thompson claimed that it’s now just around a few hundred dollars each year, although the residual cheques were obviously much higher around the hype peak of the film.

The former child actor now works as a marketing director for a skiing and snowboarding resort in Utah.

Originally published as Former child star reveals huge amount he’s earned in residuals from Titanic

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/entertainment/movies/former-child-star-reveals-huge-amount-hes-earned-in-residuals-from-titanic/news-story/247cf8b096ce93eca8f50fab75efe095