A tiny replica, years of bank transfers. How did a Titanic memento turn into a quiet yet stubbornly steady income?
Reece Thompson had just one line in Titanic, yet it still shows up every year as a check in the mail. The triumph of James Cameron’s film turned that tiny part—delivered at age five in a dramatic scene—into a steady trickle of income. The sums have dwindled over time, but their symbolic weight remains. To him, it’s mostly a little windfall that arrives out of the blue.
A child’s face in an iconic film
At five, Reece Thompson makes a brief appearance in Titanic, the film by James Cameron. Despite the fleeting screen time, the role entitled him to royalties that have endured. Years after its release, he still receives payments tied to that appearance.
A worldwide phenomenon that still pays dividends
Released in 1997, Titanic grossed nearly $2.2 billion worldwide. This triumph continues to generate long-term revenue, not only for the headliners but also for credited supporting players and extras. Residuals ensure that even a brief speaking appearance remains eligible for ongoing payments.
One line that changed everything
Thompson plays a little boy in third class who delivers a short line at the height of an emotional scene. That single sentence, combined with his credited status, triggered an initial fee and access to residual rights, standard practice for child actors on a studio production of this scale.
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Income that’s still tangible
According to Thompson, these royalties have tapered off over time but never dried up completely. Today they amount to a modest yearly sum, seen as a welcome “bonus” tied to the cycle of broadcasts, sales, and re-releases. He views it as a quiet reminder of his child-actor past, even as his career has moved far from film sets.
A lasting memory
This tiny yet memorable role illustrates the economic staying power of an iconic film and how the movie industry can generate income for decades. For Reece Thompson, it’s a striking anecdote, sustained by royalties that still arrive at regular intervals—a tangible sign of the cultural footprint of Titanic.