Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, Julianna Margulies, Bette Midler and more hit the picket line in NYC in support of SAG-AFTRA strike
Kevin Bacon and wife Kyra Sedgwick, Julianna Margulies, Bette Midler, Aisha Tyler, Susan Sarandon and more wielded placards and marched in solidarity with fellow actors and writers in support of the SAG-AFTRA strike.
The union authorized the strike on Friday, over growing concerns of the use of artificial intelligence and streaming residuals.
SAG-AFRTA, which is the union representing over 160,000 actors, is on strike at the same time as WGA, which represents 11,000 writers.
The last time both actors and writers were on strike together was in 1960, when Ronald Regan was the Actors' Guild president.
WGA has been on strike since May 2.
Support: Kevin Bacon and wife Kyra Sedgwick (pictured), Julianna Margulies, Susan Sarandon and more wielded placards and marched in solidarity with fellow actors and writers in support of the SAG-AFTRA strike
Arrival: The union authorized the strike on Friday, over growing concerns of the use of artificial intelligence and streaming residuals; Julianna Margulies pictured
Support: SAG-AFRTA, which is the union representing over 160,000 actors, is on strike at the same time as WGA, which represents 11,000 writers; Bette Midler pictured
Kevin and Kyra were seen walking together with their signs during the Tuesday morning march in New York City.
Kevin rocked a SAG-AFTRA Strong tee with a baseball cap and shorts while Kyra donned a bright maxi skirt, white top and a sticker supporting the strike.
Julianna cut a casual figure in a black blouse and cropped gray trousers as she balanced a sign and a hot beverage in her other hand.
Bette Midler was also seen at the march, wielding a sign as she walked alongside pals.
Susan was seen rocking a shirt that read 'SAG-AFTRA supports WGA' as well as toting a sign.
Also at the march was actor Kal Penn and Josh Charles, as well as actresses Tina Fey, Carla Gugino and Allison Pill.
The strike was authorized after SAG-AFTRA failed to reach a deal with some of the biggest studios in Hollywood, per CNN.
Actors on strike are calling for higher wages as well as protections against artificial intelligence.
Focus: Susan was seen rocking a shirt that read 'SAG-AFTRA supports WGA' as well as toting a sign
Strike: The last time both actors and writers were on strike together was in 1960, when Ronald Regan was the Actors' Guild president; Allison Pill seen
In solidatirty: Bette Midler was also seen at the march, wielding a sign as she walked alongside pals
With pals: Carla Gugino also joined the march in support of the strike
Beaming: The star brought her dog with her as they joined the picket line
For a good cause: Alan Ruck and Justine Lupe
Support: Miranda Cosgrove seen with pals
More: J. Smith-Cameron seen holding a sign
Casual: J. Smith Cameron donned a casual fit
SAG-AFTRA - Screen Actors Guild Federation of Radio and Television Artists - announced Thursday morning that negotiations from studios had ended without a deal.
They were asking for higher pay to counteract inflation, as well as changes to how actors earn residuals - which are earned every time a show they starred in airs on network or cable.
The reason why they are asking for changes to residuals is because streamers like Disney Plus and Netflix do not disclose viewing figures for their shows and offer the same flat rate for everything on their platform.
Another element is Artificial Intelligence - and studios using their digital likeness without their permission or proper compensation.
The union leadership voted for a work stoppage to begin at midnight after their demands were not met.
Under the rules of the strike, members of SAG-AFTRA cannot promote anything, take part in any press to promote a project, or film a movie or TV series.
This also includes this month's Comic Con in San Diego.
Fan Drescher, who is the current president of SAG-AFTRA announced the strike last Thursday.
'We demand respect! You cannot exist without us!' she said.
'What happens to us is important. What's happening to us is happening across all fields of labor.'
Energetic: Josh Charles seen at the picket line
Here to support too: Kal Penn seen rocking a SAG-AFTRA shirt and holding a sign
Support: The stars were out in full force on Tuesday; Bette seen
Staying close: Kevin and Kyra at the picket line
Morale booster: Aisha Tyler was among the notable performers seen on the strike line in Los Angeles Thursday
Using her voice: The 52-year-old actress spoke to colleagues amid the strike in front of Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California
Making moves: Tyler, who worked on shows such as Archer and Criminal Minds, was among the actors who have joined writers on the picket line in the Hollywood standoff
Busy: The San Francisco native was seen earlier this year on the Apple TV+ series The Last Thing He Told Me
'When employers make Wall Street and greed their priority and they forget about the essential contributors who make the machine run, we have a problem.'
'The jig is up, we demand respect,' The Nanny actress said.
In a statement following the strike announcement, the Association of Motion Pictures and Television Producers said it was disappointed in the breakdown in negotiations.
'This is the Union's choice, not ours. In doing so, it has dismissed our offer of historic pay and residual increases, substantially higher caps on pension and health contributions, audition protections, shortened series option periods, a groundbreaking AI proposal that protects actors' digital likenesses, and more,' the group said in a statement.
It said it had agreed to 'the highest percentage increase in minimums in 35 years, a 'substantial increase' in pension and health contribution caps and an 11 percent increase in one year for background actors, stand-ins and photo doubles and an additional 17 percent increase for background actors required to do extensive self-styling.
Those who are required to deliver lines during a run-through and photo doubles who are required to memorize and deliver lines on camera would get an additional 62 percent increase under the proposal.
But Drescher said the two sides remain 'far apart' on 'so many things,' citing excessive payouts to top executives as the studios 'plead poverty.'
Action: Tina Fey also pictured at the picket lines on Tuesday
Together! Kyra seen on Tuesday holding her sign
Smiles: Susan seen carrying an iced beverage
Having both high-profile actors on the picket lines along with writers will generate good PR for the strikers, which will in turn incentivize the entertainment companies to come to the table, Paul Hardart, director of the Entertainment, Media and Technology Program at NYU's Stern School of Business explained.
'I do think SAG going on strike expedites things,' he said. 'I think you'll see pressure from external forces — whether it's the governor of California, the president of the United States — moving this along.'
But, he admitted, 'I could be completely wrong.'
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