A-list Hollywood celebrities, including George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, among others, have shown their support for out-of-work actors by each making donations of $1 million or more.

The Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) strike, along with another strike by film and TV writers, has brought US film and television production to a standstill. The strikes, which began in May, have cost the entertainment industry and the California economy millions of dollars per day, as well as causing financial hardship for the striking union members.

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation's charitable foundation has raised more than $15 million in the past three weeks to provide assistance to thousands of actors facing economic difficulties. According to the foundation's president, Courtney B. Vance, the organization is currently processing more than 30 times its usual number of applications for emergency aid.

The foundation's aid program aims to ensure that performers in need can afford basic necessities such as housing, utilities, food, healthcare, and more. Despite the perception that actors are highly paid, SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher disclosed that 86 percent of the union's 160,000 members earn less than $26,500 a year.

The strikes have had significant implications, with movie productions on hold, premieres canceled, and events like the Emmys postponed due to the inability of actors to promote their TV shows. The demands of the unions revolve around higher pay in the streaming era and concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on their careers and livelihoods.

However, major studios represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), such as Netflix and Disney, have been at an impasse with the actors. While the writers' union appears to be returning to the bargaining table, negotiations with actors have stalled.

The support from A-list celebrities has been crucial in providing financial aid to struggling actors during this historic labor action. The funds raised will go towards grants to help with essential living expenses, including rent, groceries, utilities, and medical bills. The SAG-AFTRA Foundation hopes that other celebrities will follow suit and support their fellow performers during this challenging time.

The entertainment industry is facing a crisis, comparable to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, with theaters and cinemas closed and many people in the performing arts losing work or living paycheck-to-paycheck.

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation serves as a safety net for the acting community, and the generous donations from celebrities like Dwayne Johnson, who made a historic seven-figure contribution, have made a significant difference. The foundation is determined to meet the moment and ensure that actors facing economic hardships receive the support they need.