As the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes continue in Hollywood, you’re starring Dwayne The Rock Johnson has made the largest single donation to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, according to its President and CEO.
As the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes continue in Hollywood, you’re starring Dwayne The Rock Johnson has made the largest single donation to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, according to its President and CEO.
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation is a non-profit organization affiliated with, but not part of, SAG-AFTRA. The foundation aims to provide financial assistance to the 160,000 union members through an emergency financial assistance program.
When the SAG-AFTRA strike first became official, Courtney B. Vance, president of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, and Cyd Wilson, executive director, sent a letter to 2,700 of the union’s top-earning actors, explaining why donations to the foundation could prove extremely beneficial to those in need. According to the couple, Dwayne Johnson stepped in almost immediately.
“It was a love festival. It’s like, ‘Man, you’re performing in a way that allows others to see the dire need of it,'” Vance said in an interview with of his response to Johnson’s donation diversity. “That’s him saying, ‘At a time like this, I’m here and I’m not going anywhere, no matter what I’m supposed to do.’ And that sends a big message to other people to do the same.”
Dwayne Johnson’s donation will benefit more than 7,000 SAG members
While Vance declined to reveal the exact amount of Johnson’s donation, Wilson said it was “the largest single donation” the foundation has ever received. Foundation grants typically total up to $1,500 per individual member, but a lifetime member can receive as much as $6,000 in extreme situations. According to Wilson, Johnson’s donation will help an estimated 7,000 to 10,000 members in need of financial assistance.
“It’s the largest single donation we’ve ever received from an individual,” Wilson said. “And the amazing thing is that this one check will help thousands of actors keep food on their tables, keep their kids safe, and keep their cars running.” And it’s not lost on me that he’s very humble about that, but it’s a way to get us started.”
Wilson compared the donation and charity to how the foundation operated during the COVID-19 pandemic and said even with Johnson’s donation there was still more work to be done as the group could see the strike “by the end of the year.”
“That’s how we’ve done it during COVID — some of the biggest stars in our industry have stepped up,” Wilson said. “Having his commitment like that will really help us get started with the fundraising that we need to do because from what we’re hearing and seeing, we feel like we need to be prepared for this to continue into the end of the year.” We need to be able to help these people over the long term. We have 160,000 SAG-AFTRA artists and that’s a lot of people who will need our help. This donation is the kick start we needed in the first week of what we felt was a long journey.”
Vance also commended the continued efforts of SAG-AFTRA leadership – including national union leader Fran Drescher – and once again thanked Johnson immensely for his help.
“I want to thank Dwayne for his tremendous generosity, compassion and initiative to serve our community in such a meaningful and meaningful way. On behalf of the thousands who will be helped by his historic donation, thank you thank you thank you.”