Do actors get paid for their likenesses in cartoons/comics?

Question

Like for example, if there were a Star Wars cartoon where Luke’s design was modeled after the real Mark Hamill, would Hamill get royalties or can the studio use his likeness without his permission?

Thanks!!

Answer 1

Favorite Answer

the shows American Dad and Family Guy and SouthPark all do that quite regularly (granted they are commonly a 'spoof' of that person and arent nearly as detailed and representitive as the starwars cartoons. Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson), Obi-Wn Kenobi (Ewan McGregor, palpatine (Ian McDiarmid.... i think), Anakin (Mark Hamill), Mace Windu (Samuel Jackson) , Dooku (christopher Lee), and a few more characters are made in the likeness of the actors who played them in the films. no, the studio does not have to have rheir permission. im not sure what "royalties" they would get, but they certainly get the recognition from it. part of the benefit and liberty and privelages afforded to cartoon creators is that they can design what ever they want. within reason ofcourse. but about the starwars cartoons. the only reason they are like that is to preserve the integrity of the series on screen. if they were replaced with someone else in the show, it just wouldnt work out. the starwars characters are legendary. can you imagine if Obi-Wan was Tom Hanks? or Bob Marley as Mace Windu? or Sam Elliot as Qui-Gon Jinn in the cartoon that takes place between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith?

Answer 2

When he signed his contract for the Star Wars film, he would give image rights for the character over for a set fee paid at the time.

Answer 3

No, but he would get residuals because they were part of the original deal.