Ryan McCartan, known for playing Diggie Smalls on Disney Channel’s Liv and Maddie, has revealed the surprisingly low amount of residual money he now earns from the show—and it’s raising eyebrows.
The 31-year-old actor shared a screenshot on his Instagram Story on May 26, showing that he was paid just 41 cents in residuals from his Disney days.
“When they ask me if Disney Channel paid well,” McCartan joked alongside the image.
His post is the latest in a growing conversation among actors about how little they now earn from shows that continue to air on TV or streaming platforms.
Life After Disney
Liv and Maddie, which ran from 2013 to 2017, made McCartan a familiar face to Disney Channel fans. Since then, he’s built a strong stage career—most recently taking on the role of Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby musical in New York City.
He’s also starred in major productions of Wicked, South Pacific, Frozen, and West Side Story.
Despite his success, McCartan says he still struggles to feel like a “grownup” in such a serious role:
“I’m like, ‘I’m a kid from Minnesota,’” he told PIX 11 News. “Then I get the call and I’m like, ‘This is a mistake. Me?’”
The Bigger Picture: Residuals in Decline
Actors like McCartan rely on residuals—payments received when shows re-air or stream online—to stay financially stable between jobs. However, in the age of streaming, these checks are smaller than ever.
Mandy Moore, who starred in This Is Us, explained in 2023 during the SAG-AFTRA strike that in earlier years, these payments helped actors stay afloat during dry periods.
“I’ve had very lean years where I couldn’t get a job… actors could rely on residuals to get by,” she shared on Instagram.
Glen Powell also posted that he lived off residuals for years while trying to “make it” as a working actor.
But now, with streaming replacing traditional TV, many actors say they’re getting pennies for roles that once paid much more.
Disney Stars Share Similar Stories
McCartan isn’t alone. Other former Disney Channel stars have spoken out about tiny residual payments:
- Robert Carradine, who played Lizzie McGuire’s dad, once got a residual check for $0.
- Davida Williams, also from Lizzie McGuire, said her checks are often $3.50 or less.
- Jake Thomas, who played Lizzie’s little brother Matt, joked that his stack of checks would only total $8.
As more actors speak up, fans are learning just how little performers earn from reruns of shows that helped define their childhood.
Final Thoughts
Ryan McCartan’s honest post gives us a rare look behind the scenes of the entertainment industry. What seems glamorous from the outside often hides real struggles. As shows continue to air and stream worldwide, actors like McCartan remind us that fair pay in entertainment is still an ongoing battle, especially in the world of streaming.
