Strike force: How Hollywood helped each other through actors' and writers' strike

As the industry navigated an unprecedented double strike, charitable organizations rose to the occasion to provide necessary resources to those in need.

Mr. Rogers once advised that we should look for the helpers—and in a year of historic Hollywood strikes, that adage is particularly resonant.

Still reeling from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2023 presented a fresh challenge: the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, which lasted 148 days and 118 days, respectively, and marked the first dual strike since 1960.

“The work stoppages this year have been exponentially more difficult to survive. They’ve lasted longer, and there’s significantly less support from the studios and our governments,” says Elyse, an art department coordinator and member of IATSE Local 871.

“There are tens of thousands of crew members who live paycheck to paycheck and depend on this industry for their livelihood,” adds The Good Place star Kristen Bell. “People are mortgaging their futures to take care of their present—from selling their homes, cars, beloved props, just to survive.”

Kristen Bell and D’Arcy Carden
Kristen Bell and D’Arcy Carden raffled off a lunch with them and their 'Good Place' castmates to raise funds for the Entertainment Community Fund.

That’s where organizations such as the Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF), the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, and the Entertainment Community Fund come in, offering financial and social resources for members of both striking unions, as well as countless crew members who were without work since production ground to a halt. Many describe the impact of the work stoppages as beginning as early as January, nearly six months before the start of the strikes.

Demand for assistance has exceeded even the financial needs of the pandemic, in part because the problem has compounded itself. “People have not rebounded,” says Jennifer Jorge, the head of the social work team at MPTF. “All of those COVID protections that were in place got taken away at the same time. People are finding themselves in a desperate situation.”

Strike Fundraising, Illustration
Helping Hands.

Chuck Kerr

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation estimates it has dispersed more than $11 million since the strikes began and is actively processing more than 100 assistance applications per day, while MPTF says it’s fielded nearly 11,000 calls since July.

“In our 102-year history, this has been the hardest hit that MPTF has ever experienced in terms of the amount of people that we’re helping,” says chief development officer Courteney Bailey. While financial support is paramount, it’s not the only assistance these organizations provide. “When someone calls, we really treat the whole person,” Bailey explains. “It isn’t just an automated ‘Here’s your grant.’ We try to see if there are any red flags about mental health, if there are any social services that we can also provide. We work with the Entertainment Community Fund to help people navigate insurance and find the best plan for them.”

Strike Fundraising
The Motion Picture & Television Fund held a food drive at its Woodland Hills, Calif., campus in August.

Motion Picture Television Fund

ECF and MPTF have also hosted food drives and created volunteer opportunities to help give a sense of purpose to those without work. “What they do is who they are,” adds Jorge. “Having to redefine that identity is not an easy journey, while also facing financial hardship.” Bailey also stresses how much these organizations and foundations turn to each other, referring those seeking help to those with the correct resources to help — helping them make rent payments or maintain their health insurance.

Funds largely stem from donations. In the case of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, president Courtney B. Vance approached 25 of the union’s top earners (87 percent of the membership make less than $26,000 per year from acting) to solicit donations.

As the strike began in July, he and executive director Cyd Wilson made phone calls at all hours of the night to reach talent around the world. “This is about the plight of these blue-collar workers,” says Wilson, “and the fact that the biggest people in the industry stepped up to support them. You can’t make a movie where you earn $20 million without 150 or 200 actors in the scenes behind you. We’re the funnel. It doesn’t take much for people to literally lose everything.”

Strike Fundraising
Actor Andrew Leeds organized Kristen Bell, Will Forte, Kristen Wiig, and more to rehearse and perform 'A Chorus Line' in 24 hours as a fundraiser.

Motion Picture Television Fund

It’s not only SAG-AFTRA turning to high profile members for support. Late night hosts Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, Seth Meyers, and Jimmy Kimmel, created a podcast and live shows, “Strike Force Five” to help provide financial support to their writing staffs. The ECF and MPTF have also sponsored one-off fundraising events like “One Night Only,” in which a group of stars, including Kristen Bell, Will Forte, and Melissa McCarthy, rehearsed and performed A Chorus Line in 24 hours. “Learning and performing a show in a day is an insane undertaking,” says Bell, who participated in multiple fundraisers throughout the strikes. “But the crews we know and love are worth it. We want to show up for them using what we have at our fingertips as performers. I’ve been taken care of by my crew members. It’s my responsibility to return the favor.”

That remains true even now that the strikes have been resolved. “Work is not going to happen just because the strike is over,” says Vance, with Wilson adding that “all the way through March, we’re going to see people that can’t pay their rent and mortgages. Our primary function is making sure nobody loses their home.”

“We want to make sure people know that the need is still great,” adds Bailey, acknowledging that the public spotlight on those in need may not shine as brightly now that the contracts are ratified. “ The real priority here is to invest in organizations like MPTF and other nonprofits that support the industry. If we don't invest into the safety net of services, then many people are going to not return to this industry.” 

How to Help

If you want to donate time or resources — or are in need of assistance — here are a few organizations worthy of your attention.

The Motion Picture & Television Fund

In addition to a campus that provides senior housing and care, and resources for health care and more, MPTF also provides childcare and financial assistance and hosts food drives (including baby formula, diapers, and other essentials). They also offer a Daily Call Sheet, a phone-call check-in program designed to just brighten someone’s day. Visit mptf.com/ways-to-give and mptf.com/volunteering.

Entertainment Community Fund

Formerly The Actors Fund, the ECF proffers health and wellness, career and life, and housing services—including support groups, online resources, and emergency financial assistance—to performers and those behind the scenes or below the line. Visit entertainmentcommunity.org/support-our-work.

SAG-AFTRA Foundation

In addition to financial aid and other resources, the nonprofit organizes educational classes and panels to SAG-AFTRA members to foster connection, collaboration, and community. Visit members.sagfoundation.org/donate.

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