Dwayne Johnson, also known as The Rock, has made a historic donation to the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) Foundation. This comes as members of the union continue to strike, seeking higher pay and safeguards against the unauthorized use of their images through artificial intelligence (AI).
According to reports, Johnson has made a seven-figure donation to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation after the charity appealed to its highest-earning members for support. The foundation provides financial relief to the union’s 160,000 members who have been on strike since May 2. Their strike has caused disruptions in the entertainment industry, impacting TV shows and films.
President Courtney B. Vance and Executive Director Cyd Wilson of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation expressed their gratitude for Johnson’s generosity, stating that his donation has the potential to help thousands of actors. Wilson described it as the largest single donation ever received by the foundation from an individual. This contribution will undoubtedly provide relief to struggling actors by ensuring they can afford basic necessities such as food, homes, and transportation.
While the exact amount of Johnson’s donation remains undisclosed, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation took to social media to thank him for his extraordinary generosity and historic contribution. They hope that his example will encourage other influential members to follow suit and contribute to the strike relief fund.
This strike marks the first time in 63 years that both SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) are on strike simultaneously. The WGA has been striking for the past two months, impacting popular productions like Stranger Things, The Last of Us, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Game of Thrones spinoff A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight.
In their negotiations, SAG-AFTRA claims that film and TV bosses have refused to compromise on health and pension plans, despite four weeks of intensive talks. On the other hand, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) has stated that they offered a deal encompassing better pay and AI safeguards, accusing the union of walking away from negotiations.
In a show of solidarity, British stars recently led a protest in London to support the striking actors and writers in the US.
As the strike continues, there is no set end date in sight. However, Dwayne Johnson’s generous donation serves as a beacon of hope for actors, reminding them that they are not alone in their fight for fair compensation and protections against technological developments such as AI.
In summary, Dwayne Johnson has made a historic contribution to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation in support of the ongoing strike by its union members. This donation will provide much-needed financial relief to actors affected by the strike, ensuring they can sustain their livelihoods. The strike, which is in its third month, has had significant ramifications for the entertainment industry, affecting popular TV shows and films. Johnson’s generosity serves as an inspiration for others to support the cause and highlights the importance of fair compensation and protection in the face of advancing technologies.
