Exclusive | David Krumholtz exposes his residuals from ‘The Santa Clause’ — and they’re shocking
David Krumholtz doesn’t have a jolly holiday season from his “The Santa Clause” residuals.
“They’re minimal because the movie plays so much,” he explained to Page Six at the press day for “Are You Now or Have You Ever Been” on May 26. “This is how residuals work: Every time it plays, you make less. It’s a grade scale.”
The actor played head elf Bernard in the hugely successful 1994 holiday movie and its 2002 sequel. While he didn’t return for the third film, which released in 2006, he did make an appearance in the 2022 Disney+ series.
David Krumholtz, seen here in April 2026, spoke to Page Six about residuals. Getty Images
The actor, here in 2002’s “Santa Clause 2,” estimates he makes $150 a year from the franchise. ©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
Krumholtz, 48, recalled that when he first received residuals from the Christmas movie, which stars Tim Allen, “it was good,” but he estimated he now makes “150 bucks a year” from the franchise.
The New York City-born star — who has had a long career in movies including “10 Things I Hate About You” and the “Harold & Kumar” franchise, as well as the show “Numb3rs” — estimates that right now he earns the most residuals from his recent appearance in the 2023 blockbuster “Oppenheimer.”
When Page Six cheekily asked for a number, Krumholtz jokingly replied, “That’s none of your business! What kind of question is that?” He then admitted, “It’s $12.73. It’s enough to buy a hot dog in New York.”
Krumholtz shared he’s currently earning the most in residuals from the 2023 blockbuster “Oppenheimer.” (A still from the film is seen here.) ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
The actor’s career also includes the show “Numb3rs.” (A still from the show is seen above.) ©CBS/Courtesy Everett Collection
Krumholtz will soon be seen in “Supergirl” and in the New York City Center revival of “Are You Now or Have You Ever Been,” which uses original transcripts of famous faces forced to appear before the 1940s House Committee on Un-American Activities hearings.
During these hearings, artists were harangued and pressured to admit their affiliation with the Communist Party and name other party members.
Krumholtz plays comedy writer Abe Burrows, who wrote “Guys and Dolls” and was the father of famed TV director James Burrows. Abe died in 1985 at age 74.
Krumholtz, seen here in March 2026, is set to star in the film “Supergirl” and is appearing in an off-Broadway play. Getty Images for Writers Guild of America East
The actor, seen here in April 2026, is playing writer Abe Burrows in “Are You Now or Have You Ever Been.” Getty Images
Krumholtz said Abe named names “with great fervor,” noting that “these people were just trying to survive.”
“It’s essentially cancel culture in those times, and if someone was attempting to cancel me today for what I felt was an unjust reason, I suppose I’d do anything to get out of it,” he reasoned. “I love acting, and I love my career. I need it.”
Krumholtz said he “didn’t blame” Abe, but he explained, “He didn’t do a very good job at being opaque about his desire to get the hell out of trouble. He was very transparently desperate, and he thought he was being funny.
He added that Abe “deflected everything with a laugh, but it wasn’t funny.”
