Arnold Schwarzenegger Was ‘More Than Happy’ to Give $1M to Actors’ Fund During Strike: ‘I Didn’t Think Twice’

Arnold Schwarzenegger was happy to support fellow actors in need during the ongoing strike.

The Terminator the actor was among a group of celebrities who in August donated $1 million each to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s emergency financial assistance program, helping “journeyman actors who are facing tremendous economic hardship” during the strike.

Speaking with City and country magazine for its 10th annual philanthropy issue, Schwarzenegger, 76, said contributing to SAG-AFTRA was simple.

“As soon as you recognize that you didn’t do it yourself, you realize that you have to give something back. And when you recognize how good it feels to actually do something for someone else, it gets into your blood,” he said.

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Schwarzenegger recalled working with the Special Olympics in the ’70s and said he “found great joy in giving back and helping other people,” which prompted him to devote himself to other philanthropic efforts over the years.

“I made millions of dollars in America. So when you talk about giving a million dollars to SAG for the poor people who are suffering now because of the strike, I didn’t think twice,” he said.

Arnold Schwarzenegger October 4, 2023

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

It has been added Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life author, “I made the money I have thanks to America, so I’m more than happy to give some of it to very important causes.”

According to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, other notable donors who gave $1 million each in addition to Schwarzenegger were Matt Damon, George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck, Julia Roberts, Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep, Dwayne Johnson, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman and others.

In a statement, Streep said at the time: “I remember my days as a waiter, a cleaner, a typist, even my time on the unemployment line. In this strike, I am fortunate to be able to support those who will fight a long-term maintenance action against Goliath.”

“Together we will strongly oppose these powerful corporations that want to take humanity, human dignity, even humanity from our profession,” she added. “I am most proud of my fellow actors who immediately offered to fund the Emergency Financial Assistance Program.”

SAG-AFTRA and WGA supporters on the picket line on July 20, 2023 in Burbank, California.

Tommaso Boddi/Getty

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SAG-AFTRA’s strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) began on July 14. They had further negotiation meetings with the studios this week (with one big sticking point approx artificial intelligence in filmmaking) while the strike continues.

During the strike, actors cannot film or promote film or television projects, unless the project receives a temporary approval to do so.

The Writers Guild of America strike ended at the end of September after 148 days.

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Source: HIS Education