Dwayne Johnson has reportedly donated a “seven-figure” sum to The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) Foundation amid the union’s strike.
The charity organises financial relief for the union’s 160,000 members who have been on strike over concerns over a number of issues including pay and the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
In the wake of the strikes, SAG-AFTRA Foundation president Courtney B Vance and executive director Cyd Wilson sent out a letter to the union’s highest-earning actors in a bid to drum up financial support for their Emergency Financial Assistance Program.
Shortly after the letter was sent out, The Rock responded to Vance and Wilson saying he wanted to help members any way he could.
Vance told Variety: “It was a love fest. It’s like, ‘Man, you’re stepping up in a way that is allowing others to know the dire necessity of it’.
“This is him saying, ‘In such a time as this, I’m here and I’m not going anywhere, whatever you need me to do.’ And that sends a huge message to other folks to do the same thing.”
The exact amount of Johnson’s donation hasn’t been revealed, however, a representative told HuffPost that the sum is a “seven-figure” amount and has the potential to “aid thousands of actors”.
“It’s the largest single donation that we’ve ever received from one individual at one time,” Wilson said.
The executive director added that the former wrestler’s donation will likely help 7,000 to 10,000 members, adding that people will be able to keep food on the table, keep their children safe and their cars running.
“It is a call to arms for all of us to know that we just have to step up however you can,” Vance said. “Dwayne is letting everyone know, ‘I’m here. What are you going to do?’”
The Foundation also thanked Johnson for his “extraordinary generosity and historic donation” on social media, hoping that it would encourage other high-profile members to follow suit.
The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra) has been holding industrial action since failing to reach an agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
The Writers Guild of America started industrial action on May 2, before Hollywood stars were pictured on the picket lines in the US this week.
The British union, which is not striking, announced earlier this week it would hold protests in Manchester and London in solidarity with Sag-Aftra.
American actor Rob Delaney, who co-wrote and starred in comedy Catastrophe along with Sharon Horgan, has already said he will attend.
