Comedian Alex Thomas Says Despite Being Cut From Tom Hanks-Led “Cast Away,” The Film Still Marked The ‘Biggest Residuals’ Of His Life

July 6, 2026 by Kellie Williams in Film with 0 Comments

Comedian Alex Thomas Says Despite Being Cut From Tom Hanks-Led “Cast Away,” The Film Still Marked The ‘Biggest Residuals’ Of His Life

Alex Thomas still managed to cash in, even on a role that didn’t make the final cut.

The comedian and actor recently sat down with the Killin It podcast, where he got candid about the unpredictable world of residual checks. According to Alex, he’s received everything from less than $2 to six-figure payouts. But surprisingly, his “biggest” check came from the #TomHanks-led film Cast Away, a movie he was ultimately cut from.

Looking back, Alex recalled buying a new suit for the film’s 2000 premiere, only to learn just two weeks beforehand that his scene had been scrapped. He said the news left him “crushed,” admitting he thought the role would be life-changing. Still, he expressed gratitude for the opportunities he’s had in Black films over the years before adding, “That white money…I could be like, ‘I don’t gotta work again.”