Dylan Sprouse says his "Suite Life" residuals have added up to just a nickel.
The former Disney Channel star discussed his residual earnings on the Nov. 3 episode of "Wildmen with Dylan Sprouse and Brendan Columbus," joined by former castmate Phill Lewis, who played Mr. Moseby.
"The only residual check I've ever received for the 'Suite Life' at all was a crossover episode with 'Hannah Montana' for five cents," Sprouse said. "I'm not joking."
Sprouse starred alongside his twin brother, Cole Sprouse, in "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody," which aired from 2005 to 2008. The brothers returned for "The Suite Life on Deck," which ran from 2008 to 2011.
Dylan Sprouse and Phill Lewis revealed they received basically ZERO RESIDUALS despite the MASSIVE success
of ‘The Suite Life of Zack & Cody’, with Phill left SHOCKED after learning Dylan had only ever received ONE residual check for just 5 CENTS from a Hannah Montana crossover… pic.twitter.com/4xAViQNzv3
— Killa 🌺 (@KillaKreww) November 3, 2026
Residuals are separate from an actor's initial pay, compensating performers for subsequent uses of their work, including reruns.
Sprouse recalled co-creator and executive producer of the show, Danny Kallis ,bringing a newspaper to the set with news that "Suite Life" was beating "The Sopranos" in ratings. He said his first question at the time was "What's 'The Sopranos'?"
Sprouse said that memory still comes to mind when he thinks about the residual payments he says he didn't receive.
Lewis also pointed to the show's international audience, saying it aired in more than 90 countries.
"We were on four or five times a night because kids would just rewatch this," Lewis said. "They put two episodes on on a Tuesday and they would run them just throughout the whole day."
Other stars have also opened up about their underwhelming residual checks
Sprouse's comments follow another Disney Channel actor's account of receiving little in residuals. "Wizards of Waverly Place" star David Henrie said on "Good Guys" podcast that he received occasional payments from his Disney work but "nothing really." His role on "How I Met Your Mother," he said, generated much larger residual checks.
Other former sitcom stars have shared similarly small payments. "Full House" actress Jodie Sweetin revealed in April that she received a 1-cent check.
In July, Jennifer Hyatt Tedmori opened residual checks from "Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide," including one for 2 cents. The payments she opened from that show totaled $8.63.
"Saved by the Bell" star Tiffani Thiessen said in September that printing her residual checks probably cost more than the payments themselves. Former castmate Mario Lopez endorsed her comments on X, writing, "Real talk!"
"Drake & Josh" star Josh Peck also said in June that he receives no residuals from the Nickelodeon sitcom, despite earning about $15,000 per episode during its run.
Contributing: KiMi Robinson, Kalia Richardson, Edward Segarra, Charlie Carballo, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dylan Sprouse says his only 'Suite Life' residual check was for shockingly low amount
