The Hollywood Writers Strike has dominated entertainment news worldwide over the past few months and has gained momentum with the acting fraternity also joining them in support. Together, both unions are fighting for better monetary compensation and recognition for the contribution of writers and actors in the industry. The organizations are also waging war against the domination of AI tools and other technologies that are slowly replacing people from their jobs.
Many Hollywood A-listers who are members of SAG-AFTRA have come forward to join the cause. One of the ways in which these celebrities are using their influence is to provide generous donations to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, a nonprofit charity led by Courtney Vance, which will help rehabilitate a large number of people who have been affected by the financial crisis.
These Celebrities Donated A Million And More To The SAG-AFTRA Foundation
1. Dwayne Johnson
WWE champion turned action star Dwayne Johnson is always known to live life king-size. The Black Adam actor has proved that his heart is as big as his presence by making a staggering contribution to the ongoing Actors Strike. The Rock donated a historic 7-figure amount which is said to be around $50 million to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Emergency Financial Assistance and Disaster Relief Fund. This is the single largest donation ever made by any individual for the cause.
2. George Clooney
Following The Rock, Oscar-winner George Clooney decided that it was time to stand up and be counted. The Descendants star came forward to support the Actors Strike by doing his bit financially to benefit people through the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. Speaking of the importance of the cause, Clooney said,
“We’ve stood on the shoulders of the likes of Bette Davis and Jimmy Cagney, and it’s time for our generation to give something back,”
The Ocean’s Eleven star also expressed his gratitude to the leader of the Foundation, Courtney Vance, for passionately working towards a better future for artists.
3. Matt Damon
Another A-list actor who has made big bucks through his blockbuster films is Matt Damon. The Martian star has joined the list of Hollywood actors who have gone ahead to contribute generously to the ongoing Actors Strike. According to reports, Damon, like his colleague George Clooney, has donated $1 million towards the cause which will go a long way to aid many artists and their families who are suffering due to lack of work at the moment.
4. Leonardo DiCaprio
It is common knowledge that Leonardo DiCaprio is a passionate environmental activist who has lent his support to many causes related to the protection of the earth. The star has now come forward to back his Hollywood fraternity and the various artists of the entertainment industry in the Actors Strike. The Revenant star joined the illustrious $1 million club with his contribution to the SAG-AFTRA foundation.
5. Hugh Jackman
Another big league star who made his name in Hollywood is Hugh Jackman. The X-Men actor is now giving back to the industry that made him a superstar by monetarily supporting the SAG-AFTRA Foundation which is working tirelessly to rehabilitate artists and pay them their due. Jackman is also one of the celebrities to have contributed $1 million to the cause.
6. Nicole Kidman
Like Huge Jackman, Australian-born Nicole Kidman became a bonafide superstar after having a successful career in Hollywood. The Oscar winner recognized the need to support her acting community by joining the Actors Strike and also donating an amount of $1 million to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. Despite her show with Zoe Saldana being currently stalled due to the strike, Kidman firmly stood by the revolution and hoped that the demands of writers and other artists would be met so that they can all get back to work happily.
7. Meryl Streep
One of Hollywood’s most prolific actors is without a doubt Meryl Streep. The veteran is using her powerful position in Hollywood to passionately support the Actors Strike and the people who have been affected by it. Talking of her reasons for contributing $1 million to the Foundation, Streep said,
“I remember my days as a waiter, cleaner, typist, even my time on the unemployment line. In this strike action, I am lucky to be able to support those who will struggle in a long action to sustain against Goliath.”
Continuing her powerful speech, the Oscar winner said that she will fiercely stand by her fraternity to vanquish anyone or anything that poses a threat to their professions and human dignity.
8. Ryan Reynolds
Another actor who has joined the picket fences and lent his name in support of the ongoing Writers and Actors Strike is Ryan Reynolds. The star has proved that he is a loyal supporter of his acting community by making a big donation to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, despite his film Deadpool 3 being stalled indefinitely due to the current happenings.
9. Julia Roberts
America’s sweetheart Julia Roberts is now paying back the industry that made her one of the biggest acting icons. The Pretty Woman star has joined the bandwagon of actors who have given generously from their fortune to support the Actors Strike. Roberts too, like her contemporaries, has taken SAG-AFTRA one step closer to getting justice by contributing $1 million to the Foundation.
10. Oprah Winfrey
The Queen of Television Oprah Winfrey is among the many top celebrities who have made their presence felt in the Writers and Actors Strike. The popular talk show host who rose to fame from humble beginnings to become an icon, is now giving back financially by supporting the SAG-AFTRA Foundation in its endeavor to help artists save their jobs. Winfrey, like many others, has contributed $1 million.
11. Ben Affleck
While Oscar winner Ben Affleck was initially criticized for his silence involving the Actors Strike, the Argo star looks to have put these comments to rest by actively getting involved in the cause. Affleck is one among the many big-league stars who have contributed $1 million to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation which aims to help thousands of creative artists and their families to get better remuneration.
12. Jennifer Lopez
Following in her husband’s footsteps, Jennifer Lopez too has also been galvanized to step up and support her SAG-AFTRA fraternity. The Jenny from the Block singer, like Affleck, donated a generous amount of money to the Foundation for the cause. Currently, Lopez’s film with The Town star titled Unstoppable in which the couple reunite on screen after 20 years, is stalled due to the strike.
13. Arnold Schwarzenegger
In 2007, Arnold Schwarzenegger who was then the Governor of California, was in the melting pot of a Writers Strike that saw writers demanding more recognition and remuneration for their services. Schwarzenegger who had adopted more of a backstage role at that time in trying to ease the hostilities, has now taken a front-and-center part in the 2023 cause. The Terminator star has joined many of his colleagues in their decision to support the SAG-AFTRA Foundation by donating $1 million to the cause.
With these celebrities paving the way, it now remains to be seen if the rest of Hollywood will follow their example and join the revolution.
