Meryl Streep, George Clooney & Other A-Listers Donate Millions to Striking Actors Fund
Many big names have been spotted picketing during the writer and actor strikes. However, some of Hollywood’s biggest stars haven’t been seen on the picket lines. While these stars haven’t physically joined the picket lines, their wallets sure have.
According to The New York Times, Meryl Streep and George Clooney have spurred their fellow stars to donate big to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. This foundation offers support to working actors and other union members in need.
In the past three weeks, Streep and Clooney have helped raise over $15 million for the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. They each donated $1 million to the fund. Among the other big names that have donated $1 million or more to the foundation include Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Hugh Jackman, Dwayne Johnson, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Oprah Winfrey. Additional, two of Hollywood’s most high-profile couples — Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck and Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively — have also donated at least $1 million each.
Streep said in a statement, “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 will struggle in a long action to sustain against Goliath.”
Clooney added, “We’ve stood on the shoulders of the likes of Bette Davis and Jimmy Cagney, and it’s time for our generation to give something back.”
The New York Times noted, “A Google Doc was created to keep track of who was leaning on whom,” meaning these stars have taken it upon themselves to pressure other A-listers to get them to donate. Also, the idea of these actors maintaining a shared Google Doc is rather adorable.
Stars: They really are just like us.
