Star Power Unleashed: A-List Celebrities Unite in Solidarity on the SAG-AFTRA Strike Picket Lines
Top celebrities, including Olivia Wilde, Kevin Bacon, and more, show their support for the historic SAG-AFTRA strike by joining the picket lines A-listers like Rosario Dawson, Awkwafina, and Hilary Duff also stand in solidarity with the cause
The ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike has garnered support from the biggest names in Hollywood, who are joining their fellow union members on the picket lines.
In July, the labor union, representing over 160,000 TV and film actors, voted to go on strike due to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers' failure to reach a fair agreement on wages and the utilization of artificial intelligence in the industry. The Writers Guild of America had previously voted to go on strike in May, and SAG president, Fran Drescher, confirmed that their group would stand in solidarity with WGA.
Drescher expressed during a press conference on July 13 that this is a significant moment for them. Initially, he had hoped to prevent a strike. However, he acknowledged the serious impact of this decision, affecting not only union members but also those working in related industries worldwide. Drescher emphasized that they had no other option and believed they were being exploited by a highly greedy entity.
In response, the AMPTP released a statement expressing their deep disappointment with SAG-AFTRA's decision to walk away from negotiations. They emphasized that this choice belonged to the Union, not them. The statement also highlighted the offers made by the AMPTP, which included historical pay and residual increases, higher pension and health contribution caps, audition protections, shortened series option periods, and a groundbreaking AI proposal safeguarding actors' digital likenesses.
Keep scrolling to see which celebrities have joined the SAG-AFTRA strike picket lines:
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
Celebrities Who’ve Joined the SAG-AFTRA Strike Picket Lines: Kevin Bacon, Olivia Wilde and More
Hollywood's top celebrities are demonstrating their support for the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike by standing in solidarity with their fellow union members on the picket lines.
In July, the labor union, which represents over 160,000 actors in TV and film, made the decision to go on strike after failing to reach an agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) regarding fair wages and the utilization of artificial intelligence in the industry. Additionally, in May, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) also voted in favor of striking. SAG president, Fran Drescher, has confirmed that their group will join forces with WGA in this strike.
“This is a critical moment for us. Initially, I had hoped we could prevent a strike. I fully understand the significance of this decision,” Drescher declared during a press conference on July 13. “It has far-reaching implications, affecting countless individuals both in our country and worldwide. Not only are our union members affected, but also those working in industries that support ours. … We had no other option. We are the ones being harmed. We are being targeted by an extremely greedy entity.”
Meanwhile, the AMPTP expressed their disappointment in a statement, stating that they were “deeply disappointed that SAG-AFTRA has chosen to abandon negotiations,” further commenting, “This was the Union's decision, not ours. By doing so, they have disregarded our offering of historic salary and residual increases, significantly higher caps on pension and health contributions, audition protections, shortened series option periods, a ground-breaking AI proposal safeguarding actors' digital likenesses, and more."
Keep scrolling to see which celebrities have joined the SAG-AFTRA strike picket lines:
Credit: John Nacion/Shutterstock
Olivia Wilde
Wilde proudly held up her strike sign as she marched in New York City.
Credit: CelebCandidly/ Snorlax / MEGA
Rosario Dawson
Dawson was all smiles as she held down the fort at the strike in front of Warner Bros’ studio in Los Angeles.
Credit: Steve Sands/NewYorkNewswire/Bauer-Griffin/Shutterstock
Awkwafina
The comedian raised a fist to show her support for the union.
Credit: John Nacion/Shutterstock
Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick
The couple joined the strike in New York City. Bacon held a sign and donned a matching T-shirt as Sedgwick remained by his side.
Credit: Lisa O'Connor/Shutterstock
Sean Gunn
Gunn, who joined the picket line in Los Angeles, disclosed that he receives a modest sum of money from Netflix for his portrayal in the seven-season role on the popular show Gilmore Girls, which has been available for streaming on the service since 2014.
Credit: Courtesy of Lana Parrilla/Instagram
Lana Parrilla
“Come on all @sagaftra actors LET’S GET LOUD and fight for what we deserve!! ,” the Once Upon a Time alum wrote via Instagram alongside a selfie from the picket lines.
Credit: Snorlax / MEGA
Joey King
King smiled as she proudly held up her strike sign while picketing in Los Angeles.
Credit: SARAH YENESEL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Nina Dobrev
Dobrev held up signs and marched with her fellow union members in New York City.
Credit: SplashNews.com
Hilary Duff
Duff and her How I Met Your Father costar, Francia Raisa, joined the picket lines together. As they marched through the streets, the duo serenaded the crowd with Duff's famous song "What Dreams Are Made Of" from The Lizzie McGuire Movie.
