Dylan Sprouse Says Suite Life Residual Check Was Five Cents

Dylan Sprouse said he has received only one residual payment for The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, and that the check was for five cents. He discussed the payment during a November 3 episode of his Wildmen podcast with former co-star Phill Lewis. The check was for the show’s 2006 crossover with Hannah Montana.

Sprouse said the series was popular but that he did not receive regular residuals during its 2005-to-2008 run. He recalled showrunner Danny Kallis bringing a newspaper to the set that said the series was beating The Sopranos in ratings. Sprouse also said the Disney Channel treated the show as underfunded despite its popularity.

Lewis, who played hotel manager Marion Moseby, said the show aired in more than 90 countries and was repeated several times a night. He also said the cast had a contract allowing Disney to film many episodes in a calendar year while counting them as one season, which he said avoided pay increases between seasons.

Sprouse said he remains fond of the cast and would be open to working with them again, but was skeptical about a revival. He said the original series remains available to longtime fans and younger viewers on streaming platforms.