By: Kaydence Yung

In the last three weeks, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation has raised $15 million for its emergency financial assistance fund, thanks to a lot of Hollywood’s biggest stars, who have donated $1 million or more apiece. The largest donors are Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, George and Amal Clooney, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Luciana Barroso, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, Leonardo DiCaprio, Julia Roberts, Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, and Oprah Winfrey.

The SAG-AFTRA strike began on July 14. Actor and SAG-AFTRA Foundation President, Courtney B. Vance said, “I appealed to our community to remember how tough it was coming up, and the response to help their fellow performers has been incredible, immediate, and heartwarming.” Johnson gave a “historic seven-figure donation,” while Streep and George Clooney, who are members of the foundation’s Actor’s Council, have donated, made calls, and sent emails as part of fundraising efforts, Vance reported. 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 struggle in a long action to sustain against Goliath.”

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation is a separate entity from SAG-AFTRA. An emergency fund of the foundation assists eligible applicants with their basic expenses, including rent, utilities, medical expenses, and food. “We stand ready to get back to the table and make a fair deal with AMPTP. Until then, I’m proud to be able to support the SAG-AFTRA Foundation and my fellow actors who may be struggling at this historic moment,” said George Clooney. Other foundations have also been financially supporting striking actors and writers. Seth MacFarlane, the creator of Family Guy, donated $1 million to the Entertainment Community Fund. The organization said it had raised more than $6.3 million since May 1; the Writer’s Guild of America strike began on May 2.

According to the organization, nearly $3 million has been distributed to over 1,500 people affected by the strikes. It is now giving out $400,000 to $500,000 a week, compared to an average of about $75,000 in the first half of 2023, it said. The strike is for actors to get paid better.