Even 25 years later, the child actor who played the young boy in Titanic is still being compensated for the part.
The 1997 romance and disaster movie Titanic, directed by James Cameron, is based on the Titanic’s sinking in 1912.
With an estimated $200 million production budget, it was the most expensive movie ever at the time of its release.
It received multiple honours, including a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture and an Oscar for Best Music.
Fans may also recall a scene in which Reece Thompson, who was five years old at the time, played a role referred to as “Irish little lad.”
As a youngster who perishes with his mother and sister as the ship sinks, Thompson, who is now in his late 20s, played the part.
In one image, he can be seen waiting to board a rescue lifeboat with his family.
Sadly, they were unable to board, and later footage revealed that the trio had died in their cabin.
Thompson doesn’t really recall filming for the Titanic, but he is reminded of it every year since he continues to get a royalty check.
The actor told Business Insider that his mother had two choices after receiving a call from his talent agency.
Either play the lead in a gas station commercial or play a supporting role in a “big” film.
Even if the movie didn’t do well, it seems like his mother hoped he to be a star.
Thompson told the outlet: “It turned out to be one of the highest-grossing films in history, so it’s pretty bizarre in retrospect.
“My mum was like: ‘Let’s just do it. It’ll be cool. Even if the movie sucks, we’ll see it’.
Obviously, it ended up exploding, so that wasn’t a bad decision on her part, that’s for sure.”
His mother’s choice turned out to be wise because Thompson is still able to profit from the movie to this day.
He added: “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?’
“When it happens, it’s like, ‘Oh, cool, an extra $100’.
“There have been a couple of times where it’s been like: ‘Oh, wow, that’s a $250 check’.
“But hopefully, they keep playing it a lot because that means more money for me.”
Following his brief role in Titanic, Thompson went on to work as the director of digital marketing for a Utah ski and snowboard resort.
