George Clooney, Meryl Streep, and More Stars Donate Millions to SAG-AFTRA Foundation Relief Fund
Following Dwayne Johnson's historic donation to SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Emergency Relief Fund, other celebrities are stepping up.
Foundation president Courtney B. Vance announced today that the fund has raised more than $15 million, largely thanks to more than a dozen A-listers who have donated $1 million or more. "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," Vance said in a statement.
According to Variety, those donating more than $1 million include George and Amal Clooney, Matt and Luciana Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, Julia Roberts, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Meryl Streep, and Oprah Winfrey.
Streep and Clooney, in particular, are members of SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Actors' Council. Both stars, Vance said "stepped up with $1 million donations, emails and many calls-to-action rallying others to give generously."
They both released statements on their motivations behind supporting the relief fund. "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. We will stand strong together against these powerful corporations who are bent on taking the humanity, the human dignity, even the human out of our profession. I am proudest of my fellow actors who have immediately offered to fund the Emergency Financial Assistance Program."
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. 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."
He added, referencing Vance, "I can’t thank Courtney enough for his determination in putting this effort together by shedding light on the human toll happening right now, and how we can work together to alleviate some of the pain and suffering."
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