Meryl Streep and George Clooney keep the wind of anger blowing in Hollywood. Actors have joined the writers’ strike for the past three weeks, and there are very few big stars on the picket line. Don’t panic: the most famous actors are not indifferent to the case. Similarly, many support the protest movement behind the scenes with their hands in their pockets. This is more than a symbolic gesture, it is a decisive gesture for the most unreliable strikers, who are prevented from making ends meet by the shutdown of the industry.
Over the past three weeks, actors and writers have demonstrated side by side that they are demanding higher wages, better regulation of the use of artificial intelligence in the film industry, and more space to negotiate with studios in the era of streaming. Yesterday, the Actors Union (SAG-AFTRA) issued a press release announcing that the organization has raised “more than $15 million in the past three weeks for its emergency financial assistance program. And Meryl Streep, and George Clooney, and his wife Amal Clooney contributed a lot to this result.” July 13 SAG-AFTRA Foundation President Courtney B. Vance and Executive Director Sid Wilson they sent a letter to 2,700 of the union’s highest paid actors, warning them of the financial hardship that the most dangerous actors would face.
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Emergency for unreliable actors
Fran Drescher, president of SAG-AFTRA, never misses an opportunity to point out a reality often overshadowed by the glitz and glamor of Hollywood: 86 percent of the union’s 160,000 members make less than $26,500 a year. At the moment, the emergency fund is processing “more than 30 times the usual number of requests for assistance.” Rent, meals, medical expenses… The Foundation provides large financial assistance to the strikers every day. Courtney B. Vance noticed an increase in needs and requests, with “400 applications” being submitted for help.
Dwayne Johnson immediately responded to the call. The Rock made a never-before-seven-figure donation in union history, according to diversity. Meryl Streep and George Clooney have joined forces to mobilize other actors of their caliber. The two stars campaigned among their peers to raise money, each donating $1 million. The result is impressive: $15 million in three weeks. The newspaper “New York Times to keep track of other generous donors, he says, a Google Doc lists the names of those who have participated in solidarity efforts.
Meryl Streep vs Goliath
In the press release, Meryl Streep is not shy about speaking belligerently about the conflict between actors and writers and the Producers Alliance (AMPTP, which supports the interests of studios, major networks and streaming platforms): “I remember my days. as a waitress, a cleaner, a secretary, as well as my period of unemployment. In this strike, I have the opportunity (to help) those who will fight in a long support action against Goliath. We will stand together against these powerful corporations that are determined to dehumanize our profession, human dignity, even humanity. (George Clooney, for his part, hopes to “return to the negotiating table and strike a fair deal with AMPTP”: “Until then, I’m proud to be able to support the SAG-AFTRA Foundation and my fellow actors who can fight at this historic moment. (…)”.
Meryl Streep and George Clooney motivated soldiers to follow their generosity impulse. SAG-AFTRA has released a list of some celebrities who have donated a million dollars or more to its emergency relief fund. Among them are Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, Luciana and Matt Damon, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, Leonardo DiCaprio, Julia Robert, Deborra-Lee Furness and Hugh Jackman, Dwayne Johnson, Nicole Kidman and Oprah Winfrey.