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Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars are showing support to their fellow industry professionals in a big way.
As theactors' strikethat commenced last month continues, SAG-AFTRA members likeGeorgeandAmal Clooney,Dwayne Johnson,Meryl Streep,Jennifer LopezandBen Affleck,Oprah WinfreyandJulia Robertshave each donated $1 million or more to theSAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Emergency Financial Assistance Program.
Rounding out the list areMattandLuciana Damon,Leonardo DiCaprio,Hugh JackmanandDeborra-lee Furness,Ryan ReynoldsandBlake Lively,Nicole KidmanandArnold Schwarzenegger, according tothe SAG-AFTRA Foundation.
“For more than 38 years, the Foundation has been a safety net for our community during its most challenging times,” SAG-AFTRA Foundation PresidentCourtney B. Vancesaid in a statement. “Thank you to these@sagaftraactors for their incredible donations to our Emergency Financial Assistance Program.”
“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,” Vance said in a statement. “It’s a massive challenge, but we’re determined to meet this moment.”
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In a statement, George, 62, said, “We stand ready to get back to the table and make a fair deal with the AMPTP. Until then, I’m proud to be able tosupport the SAG-AFTRA Foundationand my fellow actors who may be struggling in this historic moment.”
Streep, 74, recalled her “days as a waiter, cleaner, typist, even my time on the unemployment line” in a statement, saying she is “lucky to be able to support those who will struggle in a long action to sustain against Goliath” as the strike continues.
“We will stand strong together against these powerful corporations who are bent on taking the humanity, the human dignity, even the human out of our profession,” the actress continued. “I am proudest of my fellow actors who have immediately offered to fund the Emergency Financial Assistance Program.”
Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty
The news of the donations comes after Vance, 63, sent a letter to some of the highest-earning actors in SAG-AFTRA, explaining the financial hardships that many would encounter as work in their field halted.
Among those who responded first was Johnson, 51, who donated an untold seven-figure sum of money to the cause last month, perVariety.
“This is him saying, ‘In such a time as this, I’m here and I’m not going anywhere, whatever you need me to do.’ And that sends a huge message to other folks to do the same thing,” Vance told the outlet.
Ahead of the strike, members of SAG-AFTRA had been seeking pay and residual increases, higher caps on pension and health contributions and regulating the use of artificial intelligence, among other things. TheWriters Guild of America (WGA) also went on strikebeginning on May 1.
Anyone wishing to contribute to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Emergency Financial Assistance Program can do so atmembers.sagfoundation.org/donate.
source: people.com
