• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Child star from Titanic who still gets paid for role shared how much he still earns from movie years later

Home> Entertainment> Film

Updated 15:44 9 Mar 2025 GMTPublished 14:47 9 Mar 2025 GMT

Child star from Titanic who still gets paid for role shared how much he still earns from movie years later

Reece Thompson's acting gig as a five-year-old has paid off very handsomely

Olivia Burke

Olivia Burke

Featured Image Credit: Paramount Pictures

Topics: Titanic, TV and Film, Money

Olivia Burke
Olivia Burke

Olivia is a journalist at LADbible Group with more than five years of experience and has worked for a number of top publishers, including News UK. She also enjoys writing food reviews (as well as the eating part). She is a stereotypical reality TV addict, but still finds time for a serious documentary.

X

@livburke_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Titanic first hit the cinemas almost three decades ago, but those who starred in it are still getting paid for their acting efforts.

The likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet continue to receive cheques for their memorable roles - as do some of the other lesser known characters in James Cameron's 1997 flick.

It's impossible to remember all of the actors who played minor parts in the hit movie, especially since so many extras were used throughout filming.

Cameron created a 'core group' of background talent though, consisting of 150 people, who were all given names and detailed backstories based on real passengers.

The filmmaker did this in a bid to inform viewers of some of the real-life experiences of those who lost their lives on the Titanic's ill-fated maiden voyage across the Atlantic in 1912.

Advert

One of these minor characters who boasted a backstory was Reece Thompson.

He was just five years old when he made his Hollywood debut in the blockbuster, but these days, he has left the bright lights of the showbiz world behind in favour of a career as a digital marketing director.

However, Utah-based Thompson, 33, continues to reap the rewards from his childhood acting gig all these years later, as he still receives royalty cheques for his minor role in the Oscar-winning film.

For those who don't recognise the baby-faced star, he played the little Irish lad who is a third-class passenger on the Titanic alongside his mother and sister.

Fun fact, by the way - at the tender age of five, Thompson 'didn’t know what an Irish accent was at all', but managed to do a half-decent job at it for his one line in the movie.

Advert

Reece Thompson played the little Irish lad in James Cameron's 1997 film (Paramount Pictures)
Reece Thompson played the little Irish lad in James Cameron's 1997 film (Paramount Pictures)

Although Thompson's moment on the big screen in Titanic was fleeting, it was still extremely impactful.

He's seen being tucked into bed alongside his sibling, as his mother realises their doomed fates - as unfortunately, third-class passengers weren't a priority during the evacuation.

In the film, Thompson heartbreakingly utters: "What are we doing, mummy?"

His mother, played by Jenette Goldstein, then responds: "We’re just waiting, dear. When they finish putting first-class people in the boats, they’ll be starting with us, and we’ll want to be ready, right?"

Advert

It's a moment which really tugs on the heartstrings of viewers, as the trio never did get the call up to hop onto a lifeboat and sadly perished in the tragedy.

In the film world, that is - as Thompson is still alive and kicking in real life and he is also still raking it in from his small role all these years on.

He told Business Insider back in 2018: "It's weird because it's not present in my mind anymore. It's not like, 'Oh, when am I going to get a new Titanic cheque?'"

He's still receiving royalty cheques for his minor role now - although he hasn't cashed them in for a while (YouTube/Studio 10)
He's still receiving royalty cheques for his minor role now - although he hasn't cashed them in for a while (YouTube/Studio 10)

"When it happens, it's like, 'Oh, cool, an extra $100'," Thompson said. "There have been a couple of times where it's been like: 'Oh, wow, that's a $250 check'.

Advert

"But hopefully, they keep playing it a lot because that means more money for me."

But last year, Thompson revealed he hadn't cashed any of these cheques in a while.

During an interview with Australia’s Studio 10, he explained: "Yeah, I still do [receive royalty cheques], it’s true. But I haven’t updated my address in several years, honestly since the last time I got interviewed for this.

"So, I haven’t seen them [the cheques] in a few years. I’m just assuming that they are still coming."

The child actor said he and his wife 'get a kick out of [seeing] comments' discussing his role in the film - although his memories of being on set are a bit hazy.

Advert

"It’s interesting, I’d say my family and I mostly just think that it’s interesting that people are still finding it interesting," Thompson added.

“[The comments] are mostly just interesting to read, but yeah, it feels like a dream it was so long ago."

He hasn't revealed the exact amount he's raked in over the years, but we can all hazard a guess - and it's not half bad.

Choose your content:

11 hours ago
21 hours ago
a day ago
  • BBCBBC
    11 hours ago

    Freddie Flintoff makes heartbreaking admission about near-fatal Top Gear crash

    The TV presenter spoke about his mental state following the horrific car crash

    Entertainment
  • Instagram/jbayleafInstagram/jbayleaf
    21 hours ago

    Scarlett Johansson addressed relationship with male co-star as he shares intimate image of them

    The Jurassic World: Rebirth co-stars aren't shy about showing their affection for one another

    Entertainment
  • Getty/Manny CarabelGetty/Manny Carabel
    a day ago

    Meghan Trainor reveals dramatic body transformation after admitting she's used weight loss drug Mounjaro

    The singer dressed to impress while attending The Paper premiere with her husband Daryl Sabara on Wednesday

    Entertainment
  • Channel 4Channel 4
    a day ago

    Educating Yorkshire teacher won't appear in reboot after being banned from teaching

    The teacher was banned from the profession indefinitely

    Entertainment
  • Brits 'blown away' by 'brilliant' app that does your taxes for you
  • Actor who had role as extra in Stranger Things shares how much he still makes from show years later
  • Clever way James Cameron filmed boat sinking in Titanic will change how you watch the movie
  • Child actor who played Charlie in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory never acted again and still gets paid for the role