A-list Stars Donate Millions to Support Hollywood Strike
A wave of generosity has swept through Hollywood as A-list celebrities come together to support fellow actors and writers on strike. Meryl Streep, George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicole Kidman, and Ryan Reynolds have each made donations of $1 million or more, according to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.
In an official statement, Streep, a multiple Oscar winner, expressed gratitude for her own success and acknowledged the challenges faced by those in the industry. I remember my days as a waiter, cleaner, typist, even my time on the unemployment line, she said. In this strike action, I am lucky to be able to support those who will struggle in a long action to sustain against Goliath. We will stand strong together.
This act of solidarity comes amidst the largest labor action in Hollywood since 1960, effectively bringing much of the entertainment industry to a halt. Thousands of unionized TV and film writers have been on strike since May due to concerns over earnings, royalty payments, worker protections, and the encroachment of artificial intelligence in a rapidly evolving industry. Last month, the strike gained additional momentum when tens of thousands of performers in the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) joined forces and brought remaining Hollywood productions to a standstill.
Addressing the financial hardships faced by industry professionals as a result of the strike, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation launched an emergency financial assistance program. The non-profit organization has raised over $15 million in just three weeks for the program, with Clooney and Streep singled out for their significant contributions in rallying others to give generously.
Courtney B Vance, the president of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, praised the remarkable efforts of some of Hollywood’s top earners and highlighted the immense economic hardship faced by those affected. The foundation is currently processing 30 times its usual number of applications for emergency aid, with 400 applications received in the last week alone. These financial contributions will be utilized to provide grants to help individuals cover their living expenses.
George Clooney, along with his wife Amal Clooney, made a donation exceeding $1 million to the fund. I’m proud to be able to support the SAG-AFTRA Foundation and my fellow actors who may be struggling in this historic moment, said Clooney. He also expressed his hopes for a fair resolution, stating, It’s time for our generation to give something back. Clooney emphasized the union’s readiness to negotiate with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
The repercussions of the strike have been strongly felt across the industry. Popular late-night talk shows, the Netflix hit Stranger Things, and an HBO Games of Thrones spin-off series titled A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight have all been brought to a halt.
Amidst the uncertainty, Dwayne Johnson, widely known as the Rock, made a historic seven-figure donation to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. This generous contribution is the largest single donation ever received from an individual at one time, according to the foundation.
As negotiations between the unions and Hollywood studio representatives proceed, the hope for a fair deal looms on the horizon. In the meantime, the unwavering support of the A-list stars and the SAG-AFTRA Foundation brings much-needed relief to those who face financial hardship during this unprecedented labor action.
