How exactly do actors get paid?

The production company does. It is based on the terms of the contract.

@zenvelo is correct for the actual acting at the time of the movie being made.

Depending on the contract – and they are all different, there may be various other income streams:

- a percentage of the profits (if there are any) after a year. This is what is known as ‘points’.

- residuals: any time the movie is re-released, or played on TV, even 30 years later, the actor gets some small sum for each appearance.

- digital rights, which can be separate from the screen payments – based on how many DVDs are sold or how many Netflix showings or how many downloads take place.

Contracts cover each of these alternatives, but each contract is different.

There are also some hourly rates or other rates based on amount of work done, and/or fixed amounts for agreeing to do it, especially for extras and such.

If I’m reading your question correctly, you’re asking about payment methods, not about pay rates. I say this because you mention “personal checks.”

Please confirm if I’m right or correct me if I’m wrong. If the latter, I can share some fun information from my brother-in-law, an actor who’s had several under-five roles in network TV programs. You might be surprised to learn how little money he earns.

Yes, I am talking about payment methods.