Melissa Joan Hart explains it all when it comes to residual checks. The “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” star talked to Page Six about her role in 1986’s “Crocodile Dundee.” If it’s difficult to remember what her role was, then that’s normal – because Hart’s role was ultimately cut from the film. However, the actress revealed she still earns from the movie four decades later.
Melissa Joan Hart was just 10 years old when she filmed her role in the cult classic. Since providing residuals is a requirement, Hart receives an absurdly small amount without fail. Her reveal shows just how seriously the industry takes residuals, even if the financial benefit is literally cents in this case.
Melissa Joan Hart Receives 26 Cents For ‘Crocodile Dundee’
Melissa Joan Hart became famous for her lead role in Nickelodeon’s “Clarissa Explains It All.” Though fame arrived as a teenager, she was a working actress for years before. One of her earlier roles was a bit part in “Crocodile Dundee.” Hart also talked about what she had filmed for in her scene.
The “Melissa & Joey” star played a girl who skins her knee in Central Park. Crocodile Dundee, played by Paul Hogan, approaches the child and tends to her wound. The scene was ultimately cut, which became one of Hart’s earliest rejections. Despite being a minor scene, Hart has talked about how it shaped her.
The actress has a humorous approach to the residuals the deleted scene now provides. Speaking to Page Six, she admitted receiving a check of 26 cents every few months. She also joked about how the amount “dwindles” after 40 years of receiving checks consistently. Rather than disposing of the amount, Hart has a more practical solution for it.
“There’s actually a bar in LA called Residuals where you can take your residuals and put it toward your drink,” Hart revealed to the outlet.
Melissa Joan Hart Has Been Candid About Rejection
In a 2011 interview with SheKnows, Melissa Joan Hart talked about dealing with rejection. Although she found success relatively quickly compared to many others, it still came after losing a lot of roles. The actress was also cast in “Aliens,” only to learn she was cut from that as well. She eventually learned to accept the nature of the industry instead of bringing herself down.
“You find that you have a lot of rejection and you learn young that you have to let it go, and if you don’t have thick skin you aren’t going to make it.”
In a February interview with PEOPLE, Hart revealed she would never watch her own work. The actress admitted she even forgot she was in “Boy Meets World.” Hart had played Sabrina Spellman in quick succession during the same year. She also appeared in “Clueless,” “You Wish,” and “Teen Angel” during this period.
“I don’t have memories of a lot of these things, so it’s fun to watch them back sometimes, but it’s also a little cringe. Sabrina is 30 this year, which is crazy,” she told the outlet.
