Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, and other prominent Hollywood stars have extended their generosity to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Emergency Assistance Program during the ongoing strike that commenced on July 14.
The program has successfully amassed over $15 million in funds to aid actors facing financial hardships.
Notable A-listers such as George and Amal Clooney, Luciana and Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Hugh Jackman, and Deborra-lee Furness, Dwayne Johnson, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, Ryan Reynolds, and Blake Lively, Julia Roberts, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Meryl Streep, and Oprah Winfrey have each contributed $1 million or more towards this noble cause.
In response to the crisis gripping the entertainment industry, SAG-AFTRA Foundation President Courtney B. Vance emphasized the situation’s urgency. The foundation has experienced an overwhelming influx of applications for emergency assistance, handling over 30 times the usual number of requests. Vance stressed the significance of their Emergency Financial Assistance Program, which aims to prevent performers from losing their homes, struggling to pay for utilities, feeding their families, obtaining vital prescriptions, covering medical expenses, and more. Despite the immense challenges, Vance asserted the organization’s determination to rise to the occasion and provide essential support.
Celebrity donors played a pivotal role in kickstarting the campaign. Dwayne Johnson’s historic seven-figure donation set the tone for this collective effort. Meryl Streep and George Clooney have made remarkable contributions of $1 million each and actively encouraged others to join the cause through emails and calls to action.
Although they have exceeded their initial fundraising goal, Vance emphasized the ongoing need to continue raising funds to meet the overwhelming demands of the community, both in the present and the future.
Meryl Streep expressed her empathy for struggling actors by recounting her experiences as a waiter, cleaner, typist, and even during unemployment. She considers herself fortunate to be able to support those who will face challenges during this prolonged standoff against powerful corporations. Streep emphasized the importance of standing together as actors and preserving the humanity and dignity of their profession.
George Clooney expressed his readiness to negotiate a fair deal with the AMPTP on behalf of the union members. In the meantime, he said his pride in supporting the SAG-AFTRA Foundation and fellow actors who may be struggling during this historic moment. Clooney acknowledged the contributions of past icons like Bette Davis and Jimmy Cagney, inspiring the current generation to give back to their community. He commended Courtney B. Vance for his dedication to organizing this initiative, highlighting the ongoing hardships faced by individuals and the collective effort required to alleviate their suffering.
Various other Hollywood figures, including Bradley Cooper, Sarah Silverman, Bryan Cranston, Christine Baranski, and many more, have shown solidarity on and off the picket lines, demonstrating the industry’s united front during these challenging times.
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