Former child actress Jennifer Hyatt Tedmori exposed the low payout amounts from television residuals after opening a stack of unopened mail in a social media video published on July 26, 2026.
Tedmori, 37, documented her reactions while sorting through checks for her past roles on Nickelodeon's "Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide" and the television series "90210."
Before opening the envelopes, the former actress addressed her audience regarding the upcoming reveal of her residual earnings.
"POV: You were on a TV show 20 years ago and a random envelope still shows up in your mailbox," said Tedmori.
She explained the curiosity surrounding child actor residual payments to her viewers.
"Time to open my latest Ned's Declassified residual checks," said Tedmori.
She continued to engage her audience about the potential financial outcome of the checks.
"Who's ready to find out if I'm buying coffee... or a yacht?"
said Tedmori.
Holding the unopened mail inside her vehicle, Tedmori discussed her delay in opening the correspondence.
"I have been procrastinating opening this for months because it is a b----h," said Tedmori.
She outlined the typical low value expected from such television payments.
"Some of these could be a penny, some of these could be $5," said Tedmori.
After opening a check worth two cents for a specific episode, Tedmori commented on the payout and the paper waste involved.
"All of two cents," said Tedmori.
She expressed frustration over receiving payments of such small values.
"See. All this paper I'm just littering in my car ...
I know, hard times. The economy is s--- ...
keep it. I don't want it," said Tedmori.
The actress continued opening mail that contained a 63-cent check alongside a three-cent payment for video projects and school clubs.
"Don't come for me about throwing away a nickel," said Tedmori.
Tedmori noted the high cost of postage relative to the payment amount provided in the envelope.
"Now I get it. It's been a long time.
I'm surprised I'm getting anything. But three cents?
It costs you 75 cents to send this envelope," said Tedmori.
She then commented on the financial logic of the distribution system.
"The way its adding up ... the math ain't f---ing mathing," said Tedmori.
Additional payments revealed during the video included payouts ranging from three cents to $1.11, with the latter originating from an appearance on "90210" over 20 years ago.
After tallying payouts of 68 cents, 87 cents, 36 cents, 45 cents, three cents, 81 cents, and $1.01, Tedmori calculated her final earnings from both series.
"So for 'Ned's Declassified,' that earned me a grand total of $8.63," said Tedmori.
She summarized her total earnings across the two shows, which amounted to $38.69.
"With '90210,' $30.06. Maybe I can go buy a coffee at Starbucks," said Tedmori.
Tedmori concluded her post by questioning the tax reporting requirements for such minimal residual amounts.
"Do I even report this to the IRS? They're not even going to give a f---," said Tedmori.
