Why Some Huge-Title Actors Are Picketing—and Others Would possibly Not Be

SAG-AFTRA is now eleven days into its strike towards the Alliance of Movement Image and Tv Producers (AMPTP), with a plethora of big-name actors making their method to the picket. In the meantime, others, like Dwayne Johnson, have opened their pocket books in historic methods to help their union. 

In an interview with Selection, SAG-AFTRA Basis government director Cyd Wilson revealed that Johnson donated the biggest single quantity one individual has ever given to SAG-AFTRA. Johnson’s donation—reportedly within the seven-figure vary—will go on to SAG-AFTRA’s Emergency Monetary Help Program, which supplies $1,500 grants to members in want and as much as $6000 to lifetime members who’ve well being points or are in “critical jeopardy.” Wilson believes that anyplace from 7,000 to 10,000 members will want these companies. 

Johnson’s donation got here after Wilson and SAG AFTRA Basis president Courtney B. Vance wrote a letter on July thirteenth to 2,700 of the union’s highest-earning actors, detailing the dire monetary straits many union members could be in throughout the strike.

“It’s a name to arms for all of us to know that we simply need to step up nonetheless you possibly can,” stated Vance, concerning Johnson’s donation. “In case your step up is $10, step up. As a result of that $10 goes to assist someone. If it’s $10,000, if it’s $10 million, step up, as a result of we’ve to. Everybody is aware of what occurs once you go on strike, once you stand for one thing — because the saying goes, in the event you don’t stand for one thing, you’ll fall for every part — you possibly can’t stand until you could have help beneath you, on the aspect, up prime and up entrance. So Dwayne is letting everybody know, ‘I’m right here. What are you going to do?’”

Different actors are supporting SAG-AFTRA the old style method: by hitting the picket traces. Rosario Dawson took to the picket and shared that she’s putting “as a result of if it wasn’t for the oldsters who fought for me to have residuals, I might’ve been residing on ramen for the remainder of my life.” Grace and Frankie stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin hit the picket collectively just like the bosom buddies they’re. Jack Black has been noticed too, as has Marvel mainstay Mark Ruffalo—flashing a peace sign whereas holding a “SAG-AFTRA Helps the WGA” signal—and Do not Fear Darling‘s Olivia Wilde. 

And there is loads extra the place that got here from. Succession‘s Alan Ruck and Justine Lupe have been at the picket lines together, channeling Connor and Willa.Iin very anti-Logan Roy vogue, Brian Cox took the mic on the Actor’s Fairness picket line in London to specific his help for SAG and his misgivings about AI.  Higher Caul Saul‘s Bob Odenkirk shared that SAG-AFTRA must strike now, “so we don’t have to do that for one more 20 years.” Ted Lasso‘s Jason Sudeikis was noticed picketing outside 30 Rock, his old SNL stomping grounds. The notoriously political Oscar winner Susan Sarandon was noticed on the picket traces on day one of many strike. Justified‘s Timothy Olyphant has been picketing, as was Oscar-winning Black Panther star Lupita N’yongo and one other Oscar winner, Allison Janney.  Abbott Elementary creator and star Quinta Brunson shared that he is putting as a member of each the WGA and SAG-AFTRA, as a result of “issues have to vary.”