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 spotted marching in New York City while holding a black sign that read “SAG-AFTRA ON STRIKE!”
She was joined in the Big Apple by 47-year-old Ted Lasso sensation Sudeikis, who carried the same sign.
For her part, 65-year-old Drescher, President of SAG-AFTRA, was spotted striking in Los Angeles.
This comes after the union announced on Thursday that its leadership had officially voted to start the strike at midnight.
Active: Susan Sarandon, Jason Sudeikis and Fran Drescher each joined the picket line for the SAG-AFTRA strike on Friday
Solidarity: She was joined in the Big Apple by 47-year-old Ted Lasso sensation Sudeikis, who carried the same sign
Proud: For her part, 65-year-old Drescher, the president of SAG-AFTRA, was spotted striking in Los Angeles
The Hollywood shutdown came after leaders of the major actors’ union voted to join screenwriters in the first joint strike in more than six decades.
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), which represents approximately 160,000 actors and entertainers, announced Thursday morning that the studios’ negotiations ended with no agreement.
Later that day, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s national director and chief negotiator for the collective agreement, announced that the union leadership had officially voted for a walkout.
It started at midnight and came after entertainers’ demands for higher wages and artificial intelligence protections were not met.
Under the rules of a strike, SAG-AFTRA members are not permitted to direct any film or television 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 actors from film and television shows since 1980.
It is also the first time since 1960, when Ronald Reagan was President of the Actors’ Association, that two major Hollywood unions have gone on strike at the same time.
The strike affects Disney’s “Avatar” and “The Lion King” sequels, as well as series set to return in the fall, such as “The Simpsons.”
Historic: Hollywood has come to a standstill after leaders of a major actors’ union voted to join screenwriters in the first joint 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 early Thursday morning that the studios’ negotiations ended with no deal
It has begun: Duncan Crabtree-Ireland announced that the union leadership had officially voted for a work stoppage from midnight
On Thursday, Crabtree-Ireland said discussions with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers are reaching an impasse leaving the union “no choice” but to continue a strike.
βIt is with great sadness that we have come to this crossroads. “We had no choice,” said Drescher in an impassioned speech.
“We are the victims here.” We are becoming victims of a very greedy creature. I am shocked at the way the people we have done business with treat us.
“Honestly, I can’t believe how far apart we are on so many things. “How they invoke poverty, that they’re losing money everywhere while giving hundreds of millions of dollars to CEOs,” pointed out the former Nanny star.
She added, “It’s disgusting.” Shame on her. You are on the wrong side of history at this moment.β
George Clooney is one of the movers who commented on the strike.
The 62-year-old filmmaker issued a statement to ET describing the movement as a turning point in Hollywood history.
The longtime artist stated, “This is a game changer in our industry.” Many actors and writers have lost their ability to make a living. In order for our industry to survive, this has to change. For actors, that journey begins now.β
Consequence: The strike will affect the Disney sequels “Avatar” and “The Lion King” as well as series that should come back on television in the fall, such as “The Simpsons”.
Impact: Under the rules of a strike, SAG-AFTRA members are not permitted to direct any film or television series, attend any press or film premiere, or promote anything at this month’s San Diego Comic-Con
History repeats itself: the announcement marks the first strike for actors from film and television shows since 1980. It is also the first time since 1960, when Ronald Reagan was President of the Actors’ Association, that two major Hollywood unions have gone on strike at the same time
LR: Corey Stoll, Alex Edelman and Jason
In conversation: Actor Clark Gregg, 61, was seen speaking to the media on Friday
News! Actress Frances Fisher, 71, held a sign that read, “AI is not art.”
Pickets: Actress Lisa Gem, 57, also supported the movement
On location: Lisa, star of the Netflix series Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce, marched in front of Paramount Pictures Studios
Cheeky: Allison Janney looked stylish as she held a clever sign that read ‘name your favorite non-actor movie’
Participating: Sharon Lawrence wore a summer dress and a sun hat for the walk
Member: Actor Patrick Fabian has campaigned to support the union
Actors including Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence and Mark Ruffalo said they would support the strike, and on the pink carpet for Thursday’s Barbie premiere, Margot Robbie said she would “absolutely” support the union.
SAG-AFTRA called for higher wages to counteract inflation and guarantees for their future livelihoods.
In addition to salaries when they’re actively working, actors receive payments called “residuals” each time a movie or show they starred in airs on network or cable β which is especially helpful when cast members are between projects.
But streamers like Netflix and Disney+ don’t announce ratings for their shows and offer the same flat rate for everything on their platforms, regardless of popularity.
Another level of sharpness is the question of the use of artificial intelligence.
The union was looking for “a breakthrough AI proposal that protects actors’ digital likenesses”.
Actors worry that their digital images could be used without their permission or proper compensation.
Taking to the streets: Director and actress Olivia Wilde wore all black to join the picket line in NYC
Memory: Rosario Dawson captured the moment with her cell phone as she walked around Hollywood
Despite the heat: She wore a black baseball cap and large sunglasses
Striking: Tatiana Maslany wore matching shorts and leopard print socks
Delighted: Ginnifer Goodwin, 45, grabbed a sign and showed up for a walk in Los Angeles
On site: Joey King, 23, also showed up to attend the picket line in Los Angeles on Friday
Hollywood: Constance Zimmer also joined the picket line in Los Angeles on Friday
Former role: The 52-year-old actress is best known for her role as Dana Gordon on the HBO series Entourage
Full of energy: Actress Chloe Fineman, 34, was full of energy as she grabbed a sign and joined the march
East Coast pickets: Zoe Kazan and Paul Dano took to the streets in New York City
Protester: Carrie Preston also took part in the Friday protest
Jamie Lee Curtis also chimed in when she posted a picture to Instagram that read, “It looks like it’s time to take off the masks and lift the signs.”
And Jamie Lynn Spears wrote: “Today will probably be the last day I can post about any of my upcoming projects until there is a resolution to the strikes.”
“We just have to catch up on that 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 “unreasonable” in their demands.
“They have a level of expectations that just isn’t realistic,” he claimed. “And they add to the challenges that this company is already facing.” That’s frankly disturbing.”