There’s been some talk about why “big name” celebrities haven’t been seen on the SAG-AFTRA picket lines in LA and New York. People within SAG-AFTRA have told the trade papers that many major celebrities have asked for advice, and the union is advising those people to stay off the picket lines to focus more on the actors who aren’t even making a living wage and who can’t afford healthcare. Those A-listers were told that if they wanted to do something, they should donate to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation or The Entertainment Community Fund, both of which are giving money to out-of-work actors on the picket lines. Well, finally, we’re hearing about those celebrities making big donations:

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation, a charity that provides financial assistance to workaday performers, said on Wednesday that Meryl Streep and George Clooney had helped lead a donation campaign that had raised more than $15 million over the last three weeks. The pair each gave $1 million and then started to lobby Hollywood’s other top-earning stars for contributions. A Google Doc was created to keep track of who was leaning on whom.

Eight more stars (Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Hugh Jackman, Dwayne Johnson, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Oprah Winfrey) gave $1 million or more, along with two star couples: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck and Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively.

“I remember my days as a waiter, cleaner, typist, even my time on the unemployment line,” Ms. Streep said in a statement. “In this strike action, I am lucky to be able to support those who will struggle in a long action to sustain against Goliath.”

Mr. Clooney added, “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.”

[From The NY Times]

My favorite detail is “A Google Doc was created to keep track of who was leaning on whom.” Who leaned on Bennifer? Who leaned on Nicole Kidman?? Notice who’s not on the list – Brad Pitt. The same Brad Pitt who scabbed for two weeks after the strike was called. The same Brad Pitt who is up to his eyeballs in lawsuits, French investigations and fraud. I guess he didn’t have the liquidity to donate?? Also: I hope Angelina Jolie is donating? Who’s leaning on her? Salma Hayek too. Jennifer Lawrence as well. Someone lean on Kim Kardashian, she’s rich and she was working during the writers’ strike. And I love that someone called Leo DiCaprio on his f–king yacht and leaned on his ass too.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid, Cover Images.

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