As the SAG-AFTRA actors’ strike reaches its fourth week this Friday, financial strain is becoming evident among many in the profession. However, some of the industry’s biggest stars, such as Dwayne Johnson, Jennifer Lopez, and Ryan Reynolds, are likely to be financially secure with additional brand deals and personal businesses to rely on during this time.
Surprisingly, both JLo and Reynolds have joined a growing roster of prominent actors who have generously donated seven-figure sums to support the SAG-AFTRA strikers.
A-list Actors Make Generous Contributions To Ongoing Strikes
According to a report by SAG-AFTRA, their Foundation’s Emergency Financial Assistance Program has managed to raise an impressive sum of over $15 million in recent weeks. The donations have been substantial, with many A-listers contributing $1 million or more.
Some of the notable celebrities who have donated include George and Amal Clooney, Matt and Luciana Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness, Dwayne Johnson, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, Julia Roberts, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Meryl Streep, and Oprah Winfrey.
A remarkable total of 15 actors have generously contributed substantial sums to aid SAG-AFTRA during this challenging period for the industry. Their honorable gesture involves dipping into their own pockets to support fellow actors who might not have lucrative contracts with major movie studios or received backend profits from box office hits. Numerous actors rely on Hollywood as their profession, yet they are nowhere near as wealthy as these A-list stars.
SAG-AFTRA President Urges The Industry To Contribute
As SAG-AFTRA publicly expresses gratitude to generous actors like Leonardo DiCaprio and Julia Roberts for their significant donations, Foundation President Courtney B. Vance shared the following remarks regarding the news:
“The entertainment industry is in crisis and the SAG-AFTRA Foundation is currently processing more than 30 times our usual number of applications for emergency aid… We received 400 applications in the last week alone. Our Emergency Financial Assistance Program is here to ensure that performers in need don’t lose their homes, have the ability to pay for utilities, buy food for their families, purchase life-saving prescriptions, cover medical bills, and more. It’s a massive challenge, but we’re determined to meet this moment.”
Vance also revealed that Meryl Streep and George Clooney, who have made public statements about joining the strikes, have been steadfast supporters of the foundation and hold leadership roles in its Actors Council. He highlighted that both of them not only donated $1 million each but also took the initiative to mobilize others by issuing numerous calls to action to encourage generous giving.
Although these actors are unquestionably playing their part in supporting the SAG-AFTRA actors’ strike, it may not be reasonable to anticipate them joining the picket lines.
Source: Cinemablend
