Meryl Streep, Blake Lively, And More Donate To SAG-AFTRA Amid Ongoing Strike

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Summary:

  • Prominent actors like Meryl Streep, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Oprah Winfrey, and others have donated significant amounts to SAG-AFTRA during their historic joint strike with the WGA.

  • SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher is leading this first joint strike in 60 years, which aims for better actor pay and protections against unethical AI use.

  • Despite opposition from studio heads such as Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav and Disney CEO Bob Iger, the strike continues with no confirmed negotiations with major studios yet in sight.

Meryl Streep , Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts and more have all donated large sums of money to SAG-AFTRA amid the historic joint union strike with the WGA. The strike hit its 90 day mark recently, and these high profile acclaimed actors continue to show support for the strikers in need of adequate pay and residuals. The strike between both entertainment unions is the first in 60 years.  SAG-AFTRA represents more than 150,000 television and movie actors. The actors’ union strike began in July, after the WGA strike began in May.

The first joint strike between the two unions was led by then SAG-AFTRA President Ronald Reagan, who went on to be president of the U.S. Now, current SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher is leading the charge. Drescher is among several notable stars who have appeared on the picket lines of the strike, encouraging household names to raise awareness surrounding the cause.

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 01: Ezra Knight and SAG-AFTRA National President Fran Drescher are seen at the SAG-AFTRA rally outside the City Hall in Downtown, Manhattan on August 01, 2023 in New York City.
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 01: Ezra Knight and SAG-AFTRA National President Fran Drescher are seen at the SAG-AFTRA rally outside the City Hall in Downtown, Manhattan on August 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

 

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Today. Drescher spoke on the Today Show regarding the union’s interim agreement with several indie production companies. Notably, acclaimed indie production house A24 has been cleared to continue shooting a current project after agreeing to the union’s list of demands. The bargaining points include better pay for all actors amid streaming services, protections against unethical uses of AI, and more.

Updates From The Picket Line

SAG-AFTRA continues to share live updates from the picket lines in New York City and Los Angeles. Octavia Spencer offered her perspective on the historic movement.

Local politicians in Los Angeles County are also showing their support for SAG-AFTRA and the WGA’s objectives.

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The celebrity donations come as a part of the union’s emergency fund for performers in crisis. Many of the actors most impacted by the strike previously held supporting roles on major streamers and were paid slim to no residuals. The low to no residual payments often disqualifies actors from insurance coverage, which is especially challenging for actors supporting their families.

Several major studio leads have spoken out against the strike. Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav previously stated that he wanted to “avoid” the strike ahead of its beginning in May. Most recently, Disney CEO Bob Iger referred to the joint strike as “disturbing.” Due to Iger’s status as a multi-millionaire, the studio head continues to receive mass public criticism. Actor Bryan Cranston named him in a speech at a New York City protest.

The strike remains ongoing, with no confirmed negotiations between the respective unions and the major studios in sight at this time.

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