Susan Sarandon, Jason Sudeikis and Fran Drescher each joined the picket line for the SAG-AFTRA strike on Friday.
The 76-year-old Thelma and Louise star was seen marching in New York City as she held a black sign that read: ‘SAG-AFTRA ON STRIKE!’
He was joined in the Big Apple by Ted Lasso sensation Sudeikis, 47, who held the same mark.
For her part, 65-year-old Drescher — who is president of SAG-AFTRA — was spotted hitting the road in Los Angeles.
Thursday after the union announced that its leadership had officially voted for a strike to begin at midnight.
Active: Susan Sarandon, Jason Sudeikis and Fran Drescher each joined the picket line for the SAG-AFTRA strike on Friday
SOLIDARITY: He was joined in the Big Apple by Ted Lasso sensation Sudeikis, 47, who held the same sign.
Proud: For her part, 65-year-old Drescher – who is president of SAG-AFTRA – was spotted hitting the road in Los Angeles
Hollywood came to a standstill after leaders of the principal actors’ union voted to join the screenwriters in the first collective strike in more than six decades.
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) – which represents about 160,000 actors and entertainers – announced Thursday morning that negotiations with the studios had ended without a deal.
Later that day Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s national executive director and chief negotiator of its collective bargaining agreement, announced that union leadership had officially voted for a work stoppage.
It started at midnight and comes after entertainers’ demands for higher wages and protection against artificial intelligence were not met.
Under strike rules, SAG-AFTRA members cannot film a movie or TV series, attend any press or film premieres or promote anything at this month’s San Diego Comic-Con.
The announcement marks the first strike for film and television actors since the 1980s
It’s also the first time two major Hollywood unions are on strike at the same time since Ronald Reagan became president of the Screen Actors Guild in 1960.
The strike will affect Disney’s Avatar and Lion King sequels, as well as shows scheduled to return to television in the fall, such as The Simpsons.
Historic: Hollywood grinds to a halt after leaders of a major actors’ union vote to join screenwriters in first collective strike in more than six decades
No deal: The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) — which represents about 160,000 actors and entertainers — announced Thursday morning that negotiations with the studios had ended without a deal.
IT’S BEGUN: Duncan Crabtree-Ireland announces union leadership has officially voted for a work stoppage to begin at midnight
Crabtree-Ireland said on Thursday that the union had ‘no choice’ but to go ahead with the strike as a result of end-to-end negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
‘It is with great sadness that we have come to this crossroads. We had no choice,’ Drescher said in an emotional speech.
‘We are the victims here. We are falling prey to very greedy beings. I am appalled at the way we are treated by business people.
‘I can’t believe it, quite frankly, how far we are on this. How they plead poverty that they’re losing money left and right while giving millions of dollars to CEOs,’ the former Nanny star insisted.
He added, ‘It’s disgusting. Damn them. They are standing on the wrong side of history right now.’
George Clooney is among the creators who have spoken out about the strike.
The 62-year-old filmmaker issued a statement to ET, describing the move as a turning point in Hollywood history.
The veteran actor said, ‘This is an inflection point in our industry. A large number of actors and writers have lost their ability to earn a living. This must change for our industry to survive. That journey for actors begins now.’
As a result: The strike will affect Disney’s Avatar and Lion King sequels, as well as shows scheduled to return to television in the fall, such as The Simpsons.
Impact: Under the strike rules, SAG-AFTRA members will not be able to film any movies or TV series, attend any press or film premieres or promote anything at this month’s San Diego Comic-Con.
History repeats itself: The announcement marks the first strike for film and television show actors since the 1980s. It’s the first time Hollywood’s two major unions have gone on strike at the same time since Ronald Reagan was president of the Screen Actors Guild in 1960.
L-R: Corey Stoll, Alex Edelman and Jason
Engaged in conversation: Actor Clark Gregg, 61, was spotted talking to the media on Friday
Message! Actress Frances Fisher, 71, held a sign that read: ‘AI is not art’
Picket line: Actress Lisa Edelstein, 57, also lent her support to the movement
On the ground: Lisa, star of Netflix series Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce, marches in front of Paramount Pictures studios
Sassy: Allison Janney looked stylish as she held a cute sign that read, ‘Name your favorite movie without the actor’
Attending: Sharon Lawrence wore a sundress and sun hat for the walk
Members: Actor Patrick Fabian confirms coming out in support of the union
Actors such as Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence and Mark Ruffalo have said they will support the strike, and on the pink carpet for the Barbie premiere on Thursday, Margot Robbie said she would ‘absolutely’ stand by the union.
SAG-AFTRA was demanding higher wages to combat inflation and guarantee their future livelihoods.
In addition to a salary while they’re actively working, actors earn money called ‘residuals’ every time a film or show they star in airs on a network or cable – which is especially helpful when the actors are in between projects.
But streamers like Netflix and Disney+ don’t disclose viewing figures for their shows and offer the same flat rate for everything on their platforms, regardless of popularity.
Another layer of outrage is being added to the use of artificial intelligence.
The union wanted ‘a breakthrough AI proposal that preserves the digital likeness of actors.’
Actors are concerned that their digital images may be used without their permission or appropriate compensation.
On the streets: Director and actress Olivia Wilde wore all black to join picket lines in NYC
Memories: Rosario Dawson used her phone to capture the moment while walking in Hollywood
Beat the heat: He wore a black baseball cap and a large pair of sunglasses
Eye-catching: Tatiana Maslany wore coordinating leopard print shorts and socks
Enthusiastic: Jennifer Goodwin, 45, held a sign and showed up to walk in Los Angeles
On the scene: Joey King, 23, also appeared to walk the picket line in Los Angeles on Friday
Hollywood: Constance Zimmer joined Friday’s picket lines in Los Angeles
Past roles: The 52-year-old actress is best known for playing Dana Gordon on the HBO series Entourage
High-energy: Actress Chloe Fineman, 34, cheered as she held a sign and joined the march
East Coast Picket Line: Joe Kazan and Paul Dano take to the streets of New York City
Protesters: Carrie Preston also joined Friday’s protest
Jamie Lee Curtis also weighed in when she posted a photo on Instagram in which she said, ‘Looks like it’s time to take off the mask and pick up the signs.’
And Jamie Lynn Spears posted: ‘Today will probably be my last day to be able to post about my upcoming projects until there is a resolution to the strikes.’
‘We just have to make up for it with the next Zoey project,’ she said, referring to the planned reboot of her Nickelodeon show Zoey 101.
Meanwhile, Disney CEO Bob Iger argued in an interview on CNBC that the actors were being ‘unreasonable’ with their demands.
‘They have a level of expectation that is not realistic,’ he claimed. ‘And they’re adding to the set of challenges this business is already facing. That, quite frankly, is disruptive.’
Social media: Mandy Moore documented the first day of the strike on Instagram earlier in the weekend
Note: She wrote to her 6 million followers, ‘First day. Proud to stand with my fellow @sagaftra and @wgawest members to demand a fair deal. #sagaftrastrake #wgastrong #unionstrong’
Her look: The 39-year-old This Is Us actress wore a light-colored bucket hat and a short-sleeved white T-shirt with a sticker of her name on it.
Mandy Moore documented her first day of strike on Instagram earlier in the weekend.
She wrote to her 6 million followers, ‘First day. Proud to stand with my fellow @sagaftra and @wgawest members to demand a fair deal. #sagaftrastrake #wgastrong #unionstrong.’
The 39-year-old This Is Us actress wore a light-colored bucket hat and a short-sleeved white T-shirt with a sticker of her name on it.
He tagged colleagues Seamus Dever, John Huertas, Juliana Dever, Gerardo Selasco and Rachel Lea Cohen in the post.