Many big-name execs and actors have now contributed to the Entertainment Community Fund, formerly the Actors Fund, to lessen the hardships of the work stoppage on actors and writers, with Seth MacFarlane most recently dropping a $1 million donation.
Who said show biz was an entirely selfish industry? The Actors Fund, which has been in place since 1882 to protect and meet the needs of thespians, is now the Entertainment Community Fund, offering its services to actors and writers alike during the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes.
Many big-name execs and actors have now contributed to the fund in an effort to lessen the hardships of the work stoppage, with Seth MacFarlane most recently dropping a whopping $1 million donation. Other recent donors include The Katie McGrath & JJ Abrams Family Foundation, Stacey Abrams, Annette Bening, Tom Bergeron, Greg Berlanti, Rachel Bloom, Rosanne Cash in memory of Johnny Cash, Suzanne Collins and Cap Pryor, Vince Gilligan, Lynn Nottage, Michelle Pfeiffer and David E. Kelley, Shonda Rhimes, and Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw.
Since May 1, over 7,500 donors have raised more than $6.3 million for actors and writers that require emergency financial assistance. Weekly contributions are now at a whopping $400,000-$500,000, up from $75,000 in early 2023.
“The Entertainment Community Fund is overcome with gratitude to the prominent leaders in our community who have donated in support of film and television workers in need,” Entertainment Community Fund chair Annette Bening said in a statement Tuesday morning. “Each day, the calls for help increase; these gifts will immediately assist so many in our industry who are still struggling to recover after the pandemic. We also hope that these impactful gifts will inspire others, if they can, to donate to support our crucial work.”
Aside from the Entertainment Community Fund, action star Dwayne Johnson also made a ‘historic’ donation of over $1 million to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Emergency Financial Assistance and Disaster Relief Fund. That’s what we love to see! Actors helping actors.
Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologist—L'Wren brings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.
