50 Years Later: Jeffrey Voorhees Still Reaping Millions from 'Jaws'
Jaws Child Star Spills Tea on Shocking Residual Paychecks
Get ready for some juicy gossip straight from the depths of Hollywood, courtesy of Jeffrey Voorhees, the actor who played young Alex Kintner in the 1975 blockbuster hit Jaws. The 62-year-old's story is a wild ride, full of twists and turns that will leave you speechless.
Fasten your seatbelts as we dive into the fascinating tale of how a child star from yesteryear is still raking it in – literally, £10,000 at a time! - fifty years after the film's premiere. It seems being brutally killed by a shark on screen has indeed worked in Jeffrey's favor.
We spoke to the actor about his experiences and let's just say he's not shy about sharing the perks of playing a dead fisherman. "It pays to die," he quipped, clearly amused by the irony. But don't worry; it's all in good fun. We're sure the late Alex Kintner would be thrilled to know that his on-screen demise has led to such financial success.
Voorhees, who was just 12 years old when filming began, had a relatively short stint on set due to his character's untimely exit via shark attack. However, this didn't stop him from becoming an integral part of the Jaws legacy. The actor revealed that he's earned a small fortune from fans over the years.
"Fans are incredibly dedicated," he said in a previous interview. "One guy bought 125 photos of me... in one go!" Jeffrey also mentioned doing signings, which seem to be his bread and butter. Not only do they pay well (around £10,000 per event), but they're also a great excuse for him to travel the world.
"Someone will fly you all over the place, and then you get paid in cash," he explained, sounding like a seasoned pro. "It's amazing!" Next month, Jeffrey is set to appear at not one, not two, but three Meet, Greet and Mingle Parties – an opportunity for fans to meet their favorite (well, almost) dead fisherman up close and personal.
But that's not all; the Jaws child star also earns a tidy sum every time the film airs on television. "My brother lives in Portugal," he revealed, chuckling, "and when I'm watching TV with him, I get these texts from him saying: 'Good news, you just died on TV over there!' And then, of course, another cheque comes my way."
If all this wasn't enough, Jeffrey has also hopped onto the Cameo bandwagon. For a mere £25.99, fans can enjoy personalized videos featuring their beloved (albeit deceased) fisherman. Talk about cashing in on your 15 minutes!
Of course, being part of such an iconic film as Jaws comes with its perks. The movie itself is based on Peter Benchley's bestselling novel and has since become a classic tale of good vs. evil – shark vs. humans. According to the synopsis on IMDb, "When a massive killer shark unleashes chaos on a beach community off Long Island, it's up to the local police chief, a marine biologist, and an old seafarer to hunt the beast down."
While Jaws has become synonymous with Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary, and Murray Hamilton, Jeffrey Voorhees remains one of its most intriguing cast members. His career after Jaws, however, hasn't exactly been bursting with blockbuster hits.
Jeffrey has made appearances in a handful of shows, including CK Talks with Rob and the Doc and Operation EX-I-33, but his most notable roles have been as himself on programs like Today, One More Shot, World of Walley, Too Opinionated, and Good Morning America Weekend Edition. And let's not forget the plethora of documentaries celebrating the film's legacy – Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story, Jaws: The Inside Story, Jaws: The 25th Anniversary Documentary, and The Shark Is Still Working: The Impact & Legacy of Jaws.
So there you have it; Jeffrey Voorhees, the unsung hero of Jaws, has finally shared his secrets on how he's made a killing (pun intended) from being brutally killed by a shark. Now that's what we call a killer career move!