Stars are coming together to share support for the Screen Actors Guild — American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA)'s strike, which officially commenced [1] on 14 July after ongoing negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) failed. News of the actors' strike comes a little over two months after the Writers Guild of America's labor union declared a writers' strike on 2 May.
The actors' strike had been brewing since SAG-AFTRA headed into negotiations with producers in June, aiming to secure better wages and working conditions as well as protections against artificial intelligence, per CNBC [2]. Due to the actors' strike, most actors who are part of the union will not be allowed to promote their current projects or work on new ones. Meanwhile, the writers' strike had loomed for months after the WGA and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) failed to reach an agreement on their next three-year contract, largely over disputes of compensation for writers. As a result of the writers' strike, all members of the WGA vowed not to write or sell new scripts for TV shows or movies until the union votes to end the strike.
Since the writers' and actors' strikes began, some of Hollywood's biggest names have spoken out in support and solidarity. Stars from Margot Robbie and Cillian Murphy to Keke Palmer and Matt Damon [3] have all voiced support for the actors' strike, which SAG-AFTRA union president Fran Drescher said on 13 July is the result of actors being "victimized by a very greedy entity," adding that she is "shocked by the way that the people we have been in business with are treating us," she added. Drescher went on to highlight the critical importance of the strike as artificial intelligence ramps up. ". . .We are all going to be in jeopardy of being replaced by machines and big business, who cares more about Wall Street than you and your family," she said. "Most Americans don't have more than $500 in an emergency. This is a very big deal, and it weighed heavy on us. But at some point, you have to say, 'No, we're not going to take this anymore. You people are crazy! What are you doing? Why are you doing this?'"
The actors join a number of stars who have already shown support for the writers' strike. On 15 June, Tina Fey [4], Sara Bareilles, and Lin-Manuel Miranda [5] stepped out at a rally in New York City's Times Square to stand in solidarity with the striking writers. Then on 25 June, singer-songwriter Muni Long expressed her public support of the strike during the 2023 BET Awards.
Previously, stars like Colin Farrell [6] and Pete Davidson supported the writers' strike by stopping by WGA picket lines. Meanwhile, Drew Barrymore [7] also showed her support by pulling out of her 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards hosting gig [8] in solidarity with the striking writers, her rep confirmed to POPSUGAR on 4 May.
"I have listened to the writers, and in order to truly respect them, I will pivot from hosting the MTV Movie & TV Awards live in solidarity with the strike," Barrymore said in a statement. "Everything we celebrate and honor about movies and television is born out of their creation. And until a solution is reached, I am choosing to wait."
Ahead of the writers' strike, many stars who attended this year's Met Gala on May 1 spoke to Variety about their thoughts on the writers' strike, with Brian Tyree Henry saying [9], "I just hope that everyone is treated equally. I hope they get what they deserve and I hope people listen to them. People strike for a reason." Amanda Seyfried also spoke to the outlet [10] on the red carpet and said, "I don't get what the problem is," adding that the strike is "necessary." "Everything changed with streaming and everyone should be compensated for their work. It's f*cking easy."
Elsewhere, TV creators like "Abbott Elementary" star Quinta Brunson told AP News [11], "I'm a member of WGA and support WGA, and them getting — we, us — getting what we need."
Since the writers' strikes kicked off, many TV shows and movies [12] have been forced to shut down production (i.e., filming and airing new episodes), including "Saturday Night Live [13]," which canceled an episode that was to be hosted by show alum Davidson. On 3 May, "SNL" star Bowen Yang [14], who's joined the strike, told The Hollywood Reporter [15] of the comedy sketch show, "I'm really disappointed. We had a few good shows left, I think. We all came back rested and ready to work on Monday." He added, "Pete was very excited to host, even though he knew there was a big asterisk on the week, and there was a looming possibility it might not happen. I think we were all ready to give it our all for the next three weeks before the season ended."
Other celebrities who have shared support for the actors' and writers' strikes include George Clooney [16], Brian Cox, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Kerry Washington [17], Jason Sudeikis, America Ferrera [18], Gina Prince-Bythewood, Mark Ruffalo [19], Mariska Hargitay, Lisa Ann Walter, Rob Lowe [20], Cynthia Nixon, Natasha Lyonne, Ayo Edebiri, Ilana Glazer, Zach Cherry, and more. Scroll ahead to see which other stars are supporting the strikes.
Drew Barrymore
Barrymore called off her hosting duties for the MTV Movie & TV Awards, happening on May 7, to stand in solidarity with the writers' strike. "I'll be watching from home and hope you will join me," she said in a statement to POPSUGAR. "I thank MTV, who has truly been some of the best partners I have ever worked with. And I can't wait to be a part of this next year, when I can truly celebrate everything that MTV has created, which is a show that allows fans to choose who the awards go to and is truly inclusive."
Quinta Brunson
After some social media users called on Brunson specifically to help aid striking writers, the TV creator tweeted [22], "I don't use this app anymore because it honestly is a bit much for me- but I just want to clarify this- I am a writer. I'm in the wga. I'm also on strike!" She added, "I have no real power here other than to join my union in demanding fair compensation for writers! #wgastrong."
In another tweet [23], Brunson wrote, "This week you'll probably find me on picket line. This strike also isn't about me, and I don't want to make it about me. It's about all writers :) support the wga. No show or movie you love is written without… writers."
Per a photo featured in another tweet [24], Brunson was seen on the picket lines in Los Angeles holding a sign that read "AI can't write Tariq's raps!" as a nod to one of her "Abbott Elementary" characters.
Sheryl Lee Ralph
On May 3, the "Abbott Elementary" star wrote in a tweet [25], "I stand with the writers ✍️ This is the first @WGA writers' strike in 15 years. The last time it happened in late 2007—it lasted for 100 days. If the two parties can't come to an agreement soon, the effects of this strike will be felt throughout Hollywood for months to come." That same day, she tweeted photos [26] from the picket lines as a member of the SAG-AFTRA.
Bowen Yang
Yang spoke to THR as he picketed for the strike in New York on May 3 alongside fellow WGA members. The "SNL" cast member, who's also a member of the SAG-AFTRA, said he felt for "the new cast and the new writers who started out [on 'SNL' this season] — they didn't get a chance to ring in the end of their first season, which is always a big milestone."
He added, "I feel very lucky that I'm intersecting in both those things," referring to being part of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA. "A lot of people in the industry are members of multiple guilds, and I think it's important that we show some solidarity as we can among the unions — especially since they're also negotiating with the alliance."
Olivia Wilde
At the 2023 Met Gala, Wilde said in a red carpet interview [27], "I support the writers." "I think it'll affect all of us," she added. "It'll affect every part of the industry and people beyond the industry, but, you know, we have to stand up for our rights. I support unions. They've spent a lot of time thinking about what they deserve and I wish it didn't have to come to this."
Rob Lowe
Lowe, who was spotted on the picket lines in Los Angeles on May 2, told Deadline [28], "I'm in solidarity with so many people. Mike Shur, who I've loved working with, my son John Owen [29], who I've created a show for Netflix with [30]. We're only as good as the writing we get."
Cynthia Nixon
The "And Just Like That" and "Sex and the City [31]" star joined picketers on May 3 and told Deadline of supporting the strike [32], "I feel like it's important to be out here because writers are some of my best friends and some of my heroes." She added, "Without writers, there would certainly be no books but, as it pertains to me, there would be no television, there would be no film, and there would be no theatre."
"It's incumbent on all of us to care about writers and creative television and movies," Nixon continued. "To come out here and show support that we can end this quickly, and not let it drag on and on."
John Mulaney
According to The Hollywood Reporter [33], the comedian cancelled his For Your Consideration event tied to his new Netflix special, "Baby J," that was scheduled to take place on May 6. Mulaney's spokesperson confirmed to the publication that his decision came amid newly released strike rules that note writers "should let the company know you are prohibited from making these promotional appearances about your work until the strike concludes." Reps for Mulaney did not immediately respond to POPSUGAR's request for comment.
Elizabeth Olsen
On the "Variety Awards Circuit" podcast [34], the "Love & Death [35]" star said of the writers' strike, "We need to reimagine structurally how people of all levels can continue to make a living now that we have these streaming services. Actors who used to be able to live off residuals — can't anymore because they get paid for one day. And it goes on a streaming service, and they don't see a penny after."
Seth Meyers
On May 3, Variety reported [36], per two sources, that Meyers intends to pay his "Late Night" staffers three weeks' worth of wages while his program remains shut down due to the writers' strike. POPSUGAR reached out to Meyers's reps but did not receive an immediate response.
Jimmy Fallon
Same as Meyers, Variety noted that the "Tonight Show" host will also reportedly try to pay his late-night show staff three weeks of pay while his show stays on hiatus amid the writers strike. POPSUGAR also reached out to Fallon's reps and did not receive an immediate response.
Stephen Colbert
During the May 1 episode of "The Late Show," [37] Colbert showcased a collage photo of his show's writers on screen, along with himself as a WGA member, and said, "They are so important to our show." He added, "Without these people, this show would be called 'The Late Show With the Guy Rambling About Lord of the Rings and Boats For an Hour.'"
Colbert also stressed the importance of the WGA and AMPTP's negotiations, saying, "Everybody, including myself, hopes both sides reach a deal. But I also think that the writers' demands are not unreasonable. I'm a member of the Guild, I support collective bargaining. This nation owes so much to unions."
Melanie Lynskey
On April 11, before the strike, Lynskey quote-tweeted a message from the WGA West [38] on Twitter and wrote, "I stand with the WGA members voting to strike! The main thing any of us have to go on when choosing a project is the quality of the script. It's everything. There is no industry without writers. They deserve to be able to make a living!"
Ilana Glazer
The "Broad City" star and cocreator joined picketers in New York City on May 3 to support to ongoing strike, during which she told The Hollywood Reporter [39], "We need living wages, our basic needs met, and the writing portion of TV and film has been squeezed and squeezed and squeezed over the last few years and it really shouldn't be surprising to the big studios that the human beings who are creating this content, who are the beating hearts and minds of this behind this art and content want to be treated with basic dignity."
Francia Raísa
In a recent interview with POPSUGAR, the "How I Met Your Father [40]" star talked about the likelihood of the show getting a third season and said, "We want to keep going. We just don't know yet. There's so much happening within the industry that everything is kind of up in the air. And honestly, I stand in solidarity with the writers."
She added, "So hopefully we get to come back sooner than later, but I feel like it's only fair enough for everyone to get what they deserve."
Snoop Dogg
On May 3, during a panel with Variety [41]'s Executive Music Editor Shirley Halperin and Gamma's Larry Jackson, Snoop Dogg shared his thoughts on today's "f*cked up" streaming models that have led writers to strike over proper compensation. "The writers are striking because [of] streaming, they can't get paid," the rapper said. "Because when it's on the platform, it's not like in the box office. I don't understand how the f*ck you get paid off of that sh*t. Somebody explain to me how you can get a billion streams and not get a million dollars? That's the main gripe with a lot of us artists is that we do major numbers . . . but it don't add up to the money. Like where the f*ck is the money?"
Wanda Sykes
The comedian tweeted a photo of herself picketing [42] on May 2 and wrote on Twitter, "Here we go again! #wgastrong."
Boots Riley
The filmmaker and TV creator, who's gearing up to release his Prime Video series "I'm a Virgo" this summer, tweeted on April 30 [43] that he wouldn't be promoting his show should the strike commence. "U know hard I promote I'm A Virgo. Posting&reposting anything that helps do that. That ALL stops soon as a #WGAStrike is called. Its a move showrunners r making in hopes2make negotiations go faster. Still hope ppl see the show, but I wont put in work for it during the strike."