Dwayne Johnson Makes 7-figure Donation to SAG-AFTRA Relief Fund

Dwayne ‘The Rock Johnson attends the 95th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California on March 12, 2023. (Getty Images/Gilbert Flores)

By: Joshua Martin

In a surprising move, A-List Hollywood actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson contributed a “landmark” seven-figure donation to SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Emergency Financial Assistance Fund set up for struggling actors amidst their ongoing strike against major Hollywood studios which began on July 13th. Leaders of the foundation President Courtney B. Vance and Executive Director Cyd Wilson sent a letter to 2,700 of the union’s highest-earning actors explaining the financial strains the strike would cause.

This is the first industry shutdown in 60 years, but it will take a while for viewers to notice a change in what is airing on television and streaming platforms since most of the content that is getting ready to be released was shot a year ago. Right now late night shows are showing re-runs due to the writers strike.

“It was a love fest. It’s like, ‘Man, you’re stepping up in a way that is allowing others to know the dire necessity of it,' “This is him saying, ‘In such a time as this, I’m here and I’m not going anywhere, whatever you need me to do.’ And that sends a huge message to other folks to do the same thing.” - Courtney B. Vance

Shortly after the announcement that thousands of film and television stars were going on strike, “The Rock” decided to step up for his fellow Screen Actors Guild members. In a statement Vance expressed how thankful he was and how the donation will help those in need of assistance during such a difficult time.

"Everyone knows what happens when you go on strike, when you stand for something — as the saying goes, if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for everything," he added. "You can’t stand unless you have support underneath you, on the side, up top and up front. So Dwayne is letting everyone know, ‘I’m here. What are you going to do?” - SAG President Courtney B. Vance

For the first since 1960, both Hollywood actors and writers are on strike simultaneously. Members of SAG-AFTRA are seeking pay and residual increases, higher caps on pension and health contributions and regulating the use of artificial intelligence. The Screen Actors Guild has more than 160,000 members, although the strike only affects the union’s roughly 65,000 actors.  

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