the next big star shows solidarity with the strike of American actors and writers. Richard Gere (73) has, according to media reports, taken to the streets in New York with colleagues from the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA. The ‘Pretty Woman’ actor was part of a group demonstrating outside the Warner Bros. production company building. Gere came casually in jeans and a plain blue T-shirt to the demo.
Richard Gere carried a sign with the inscription ‘Writers Guild of America East Stands With SAG-AFTRA’. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has been on strike since May for better terms from studios and streaming services. In July, the actors’ reps joined in. It is the first double strike in Hollywood in over 60 years.
Richard Gere is not first solidarity top star
Richard Gere is not the first top star to show solidarity with his lower-paid colleagues. Jane Fonda (85), ‘Ted Lasso’ star Jason Sudeikis (47) and Kevin Bacon (65) have already taken to the streets. ‘Breaking Bad’ star Bryan Cranston (67) gave a blazing speech at a rally in New York. Other stars such as Dwayne Johnson (51), George Clooney (62) or Meryl Streep (74) have supported the union with donations in the millions.
Again negotiations between authors and production companies
Meanwhile, negotiations between the WGA and the producers’ association AMPTP are moving again. This Friday (August 11), the two parties will sit down at the negotiating table again, according to US media. It would be only the second meeting since the strike began more than 100 days ago. After the negotiations on August 4, the fronts had hardened even more. Details on the upcoming talks are not yet available.
