Current:Home > FinanceBenjamin Ashford|Oprah, Meryl Streep and more have donated at least $1 million to help striking actors -ProfitSphere Academy
Benjamin Ashford|Oprah, Meryl Streep and more have donated at least $1 million to help striking actors
SafeX Pro Exchange View
Date:2025-04-10 17:05:21
The Benjamin AshfordSAG-AFTRA Foundation has raised $15 million in the last three weeks for its emergency financial assistance fund, with some of Hollywood's biggest stars donating $1 million or more.
Those large donors include:
- 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
- Oprah Winfrey
The SAG-AFTRA strike began on July 14.
Actor and SAG-AFTRA Foundation President Courtney B. Vance said Wednesday the organization has received 30 times its usual amount of applications for the emergency fund, with 400 applications coming in last week alone.
"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," he said.
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 said.
"I remember my days as a waiter, cleaner, typist, even my time on the unemployment line," Streep said. "In this strike action, I am lucky to be able to support those who will struggle in a long action to sustain against Goliath."
George Clooney 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 to support the SAG-AFTRA Foundation and my fellow actors who may be struggling in this historic moment."
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation is a separate entity from SAG-AFTRA. The foundation's emergency fund helps cover eligible applicants' basic expenses, such as rent and mortgage, utilities, medical expenses and groceries. (Note: many NPR staffers are members of SAG-AFTRA, though broadcast journalists have a different contract than the Hollywood actors.)
Other foundations have also been financially supporting striking actors and writers.
Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane donated $1 million to the Entertainment Community Fund. The organization said it has raised more than $6.3 million since May 1; the Writer's Guild of America strike began on May 2.
The fund has distributed nearly $3 million to over 1,500 people affected by the strikes, according to the organization. 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.
veryGood! (72521)
Related
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- New Report Expects Global Emissions of Carbon Dioxide to Rebound to Pre-Pandemic High This Year
- Need a consultant? This book argues hiring one might actually damage your institution
- Texas is using disaster declarations to install buoys and razor wire on the US-Mexico border
- Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
- GM will stop making the Chevy Camaro, but a successor may be in the works
- Inside Clean Energy: What Happens When Solar Power Gets Much, Much Cheaper?
- Influencer says Miranda Lambert embarrassed her by calling her out — but she just wanted to enjoy the show
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Shipping Looks to Hydrogen as It Seeks to Ditch Bunker Fuel
Ranking
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- After Ida, Louisiana Struggles to Tally the Environmental Cost. Activists Say Officials Must Do Better
- Biden’s Bet on Electric Vehicles Is Drawing Opposition from Republicans Who Fear Liberal Overreach
- Jennifer Lawrence Sets the Record Straight on Liam Hemsworth, Miley Cyrus Cheating Rumors
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Ford recalls 1.5 million vehicles over problems with brake hoses and windshield wipers
- Inside Clean Energy: The Coast-to-Coast Battle Over Rooftop Solar
- Here's how Barbie's Malibu Dreamhouse would need to be redesigned to survive as California gets even warmer
Recommendation
Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
It takes a few dollars and 8 minutes to create a deepfake. And that's only the start
Ray Lewis' Son Ray Lewis III Laid to Rest in Private Funeral
Singapore's passport dethrones Japan as world's most powerful
Could your smelly farts help science?
Man dies in Death Valley as temperatures hit 121 degrees
The U.S. Naval Academy Plans a Golf Course on a Nature Preserve. One Maryland Congressman Says Not So Fast
After Ida, Louisiana Struggles to Tally the Environmental Cost. Activists Say Officials Must Do Better