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Public reporting does not establish that Eric McCormack or Debra Messing earns more in ongoing Will & Grace residuals than the rest of the cast. Reports do show that the two stars were initially paid more per episode than co-stars Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally, followed by reported salary parity among all four leads. Those historical episode salaries—and reported participation in backend profits—are not the same thing as residual payments.
What “royalties” means in this comparison
“Royalties” is often used casually for money actors receive when a television show continues to earn or is shown again. SAG-AFTRA uses the term residuals for additional compensation paid when a production is exhibited beyond its original use. The union explains that residuals depend on the applicable agreement and exhibition market; its general guidance also identifies factors such as the performer’s time on the production and the type of production. That guidance does not disclose the cast’s private contract or calculate an individual actor’s payment. SAG-AFTRA’s TV and Theatrical Residuals guidance and its TV and Theatrical Residuals Quick Guide, published January 28, 2021, explain the general distinction.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Will & Grace: The Complete Series | $126.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Will & Grace: Complete Seasons 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 | $199.69 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Will & Grace - Season Three | $6.82 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Will & Grace - Season Two | $16.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Will & Grace - Season One | $14.47 | Buy on Amazon |
Three compensation categories matter here: episode salary for the original production, any contractual share of backend profits, and residuals for later exhibition. One category cannot be used as a substitute for evidence about another.
What public reports say about the four leads’ salaries
| Period and report | Reported compensation | What the report does—and does not—show |
|---|---|---|
| 2003, ABC News | McCormack and Messing reportedly earned $250,000 per episode. | Historical episode salary attributed to published reports; it is not a residual figure. ABC News, September 2003. |
| By season seven, reported in 2003 | McCormack and Messing were reportedly set to earn $400,000 per episode. | The Advocate also reported that all four main actors—McCormack, Messing, Hayes, and Mullally—had stakes in backend profits. These were reported deal terms, not audited payouts or residual totals. The Advocate, April 2003. |
| Season eight, 2005–06 | Each of the four leads was reported to earn $13–15 million for the season, or about $600,000 per episode. | The Advocate reported that Hayes and Mullally would reach paycheck parity with Messing and McCormack for the first time. The figures were attributed to unnamed sources, and NBC declined comment; they do not establish equal residuals. The Advocate, April 2005. |
The reports describe historical salaries, not independently verified contracts or audited earnings. The 2003 and 2005 Advocate reports relied on unnamed sources, so the figures should be read as reported deal terms rather than personally confirmed statements from the actors or NBC.
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What the reports establish about backend profits
The 2003 Advocate report said all four principal actors had stakes in the show’s backend profits and noted that the series had entered syndication. A later report discussed the show’s syndication success and the potential long-term value of additional episodes. Neither report provided an individual backend percentage, a named actor’s payout, or a breakdown of how any profits were divided. Backend participation is therefore evidence of a reported financial interest, not proof that one lead received more than another.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is known—and unknown—about residuals
The public reports described above do not state current or cumulative residual totals for McCormack, Messing, Hayes, or Mullally. Nor do the general SAG-AFTRA materials supply those private figures: residual calculations depend on contract terms and the relevant exhibition market, among other factors. Without actor-specific payment records or reliable disclosures, it is not possible to rank the cast by residual income or estimate what any one performer has received from syndication or streaming.
So the evidence supports a narrower conclusion: McCormack and Messing reportedly earned more per episode than their co-stars earlier in the show’s run, while a 2005 report said all four leads reached salary parity for season eight. It does not answer who earns more from ongoing reuse of the series.
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