- SAG-AFTRA members are calling out major Hollywood stars for not joining them on the picket line.
- A publicist suggested that Brad Pitt should've worn a SAG-AFTRA shirt at Wimbledon.
- Meanwhile, Dwayne Johnson recently donated a seven-figure sum to the union's hardship fund.
As SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America continue to strike for better pay from studios and a fairer deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), some on strike want to see bigger stars show their support on the picket lines.
Many big names from across film and TV have actively voiced their support for the strikes, with actors like Susan Sarandon, Tatiana Maslany, and Lupita Nyong'o all standing on picket lines recently.
But in a Variety article published Monday, an unnamed "power publicist" said that some picketers were disappointed that some of Hollywood's biggest names — like Brad Pitt, Andrew Garfield, and Ariana Grande — were seen at Wimbledon rather than on the picket line. The publicist suggested Pitt could easily "throw on a SAG-AFTRA shirt when he knows there will be paparazzi."
Last week, a sign reading "Where the fuck is Ben Affleck?" was also spotted outside Sunset Bronson Studios in Los Angeles, referencing the fact that "The Flash" and "Air" star hasn't been spotted on the picket line yet, despite living in Los Angeles.
—HueroJack (@HueroJack) July 18, 2023
Per the Variety feature, Oscar winners Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, and Rami Malek were among those who signed a letter to SAG leadership in June about being ready to strike, but they haven't been spotted on the streets with other actors and writers. (A representative for Lawrence declined to comment.)
Twitter users have also called out the fact that a lot of major stars haven't shown up on picket lines as of yet, with the likes of Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and George Clooney mentioned.
—Kathy Sison ☮️ (@KathySison4) July 22, 2023
It should be noted, however, that one reason major names may not be on the picket line is that they may be seen as a distraction.
As one member told Variety: "It's not necessarily to our advantage for the people who are the most successful, wealthy, and visible to be taking up space right now."
"Those stars don't work for scale pay; they don't need the protection of a better contract. If Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston show up, they look like they're crying poor," they said.
In addition, members who aren't physically on picket lines are encouraged to help SAG-AFTRA in other ways, including making donations to the union's hardship fund.
Several stars appear to be doing just that, including Dwayne Johnson, who donated a seven-figure sum.
Jamie Lee Curtis and her husband, Christopher Guest, also donated $25,000 to the fund, with the "Halloween" and "The Bear" star encouraging her Instagram followers to also help if they're able to do so.
Representatives for Brad Pitt, Andrew Garfield, Ariana Grande, Ben Affleck, Meryl Streep, Rami Malek, Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and George Clooney did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.
