What is Tiffani Thiessen’s net worth? “Saved by the Bell” star opens up about “negative” residual checks

Creative Perspective Of The Variety Power Of Young Hollywood 2026 - Source: Getty
What is Tiffani Thiessen’s net worth? “Saved by the Bell” star opens up about “negative” residual checks - Source: Getty: Creative Perspective Of The Variety Power Of Young Hollywood 2026

Tiffani Thiessen, the actress who rose to fame as head cheerleader Kelly Kapowski on Saved by the Bell, has recently opened up about the show's residual payments in an interview on Page Six Radio. As per a report shared by Celebrity Net Worth, Thiessen has a net worth of six million dollars. She can relate, though, to the actors who post about receiving tiny residual checks, sharing that

"There's actually a funny place, I don't even know if it's still open, called Residuals in L.A., where actors could come in and take their thirty-eight cent check and buy a drink with it."

Thiessen, who is currently fifty-two years old, reflected on where things stand now with her Saved by the Bell residuals, saying that

"I think it's dried out now. It's like, negative now," she shared.
"It costs more to print the check," she added.

The Emmy-nominated actress is currently starring in Coven Academy, a supernatural teen drama. However, Tiffani Thiessen wasn't the only cast member whose comments about residuals got people talking. Mark-Paul Gosselaar, who is also fifty-two years old, explained on Watch What Happens Live back in January 2019 that the Saved by the Bell cast "made really bad deals."

As per the report shared by Celebrity Net Worth, Gosselaar and Tiffani Thiessen have the same net worth!


Mario Lopez responds to Tiffani Thiessen's residual comments:

Tiffani Thiessen hosts the Gourmet Garden Time Savor event hosted by Tiffani Thiessen at Amali on January 29, 2020 in New York City - Source: Getty
Tiffani Thiessen hosts the Gourmet Garden Time Savor event hosted by Tiffani Thiessen at Amali on January 29, 2020 in New York City - Source: Getty

Tiffani Thiessen's comments about her Saved by the Bell residuals didn't go unnoticed by her former co-star. Mario Lopez took to X shortly after, responding with a simple "Real talk!" on Wednesday, backing up her claims about the show's measly kickbacks.

Mario Lopez attends the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 18, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada - Source: Getty
Mario Lopez attends the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 18, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada - Source: Getty

As per a report shared by Entertainment Weekly, it's no secret that the cast, which included Thiessen, Lopez, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Elizabeth Berkley, Lark Voorhies, the late Dennis Haskins, and the late Dustin Diamond, made low salaries throughout the show's run from 1989 to 1993. That being said, a recent episode of the docuseries Hollywood Demons shed further light on just how little Lopez actually made per episode. Child star manager Denise Simon touched on the struggles of the cast during the episode, sharing that

"Mario Lopez said he started out making about $1500 an episode. That's a lot of money to a kid. But after a second season, in 1991, Saved by the Bell was pulling in roughly $15 million in advertising."

Tiffani Thiessen opens up about her near miss as a Bond girl:

Brady Smith and Tiffani Thiessen attend a book signing event for their book "You're Missing It" at The Grove on May 04, 2019 in Los Angeles, California - Source: Getty
Brady Smith and Tiffani Thiessen attend a book signing event for their book "You're Missing It" at The Grove on May 04, 2019 in Los Angeles, California - Source: Getty

Thiessen shared on an episode of I've Never Said This Before With Tommy DiDario that she made it to the final round of auditions for an undisclosed James Bond film, where she was one of three actresses left in the running. She described the rejection as "one of the hardest" she has faced throughout her career.

"I was very close to being a Bond girl," she shared.
"It was super, super hard because I also was a huge James Bond fan," she added.

Thiessen then opened up about how the rejection left her at a crossroads with her career. She recalls taking a trip to the beach after losing the role and questioning whether she wanted to continue acting altogether.

"That was a really big moment in my life, a very hard sort of rejection that I had," she said.
"I remember questioning my career after that. Like, do I keep going and do I really want to do this? Can I handle rejection like that? I put everything into it," she added.
Brian Austin Green & Tiffani Amber Thiessen - Source: Getty
Brian Austin Green & Tiffani Amber Thiessen - Source: Getty

Thiessen didn't let the Bond girl rejection define her, and has since viewed the experience as a "teachable moment." She encouraged those facing similar situations to "find the joy" in their craft, opening up about how the drive she felt after losing the role ultimately kept her going.

"I think the drive that I had for it just goes to show you that I still wanted to continue doing it. Like I loved the drive. I loved the opportunity. And so I never gave up. And I still enjoy it to this day," she said.

That being said, Thiessen hasn't entirely closed the door on the Bond franchise either. When asked about the possibility of appearing in a future James Bond film, she was open to the idea, adding with a laugh that

"Maybe if they're looking for an older lady. You never know."

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Edited by Ryan D'souza