The vast majority are out of work at any given time. At least, they are not acting. Tom Tangen has appeared in a host of films and TV shows - but he is not famous. His roles have been minor and sometimes ended up on the cutting room floor. He recently performed alongside Julia Roberts and Albert Finney as a paralegal called Ned in Erin Brockovich.
Residuals are at the centre of the current contract negotiations.
The union is determined to defend the actors' rights to benefit when their work is repeated on television or sold on DVD and, crucially, the internet. Fresh from the experience of seeing Erin Brockovich become an international blockbuster, Tangen believes the studios should give something back to the on-screen talent. It just makes sense - if it wasn't for the actors there would be no film, there would be no TV shows. He moved to America nine years ago. His acting work consists mainly of stage work and the occasional commercial.