Why aren't Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep or Tom Cruise at the picket line? SAG-AFTRA strike lacks presence of A-listers
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: There has been a noticeable absence of A-listers on the picket lines during the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike. One prominent member of SAG-AFTRA reportedly remarked on condition of anonymity that there had been a "palpable" lack of support from high-profile stars. They expressed that if these A-list celebrities were actively advocating for the cause, it would be evident and provide a significant boost to the striking workers' morale.
Despite A-listers such as Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence and Rami Malek expressing their support for the strike by signing a letter in June, they have not been seen actively participating in the protests in-person. Similarly, Leonardo DiCaprio posted an Instagram story showing solidarity with the guild but has yet to join any demonstrations. The absence of these high-profile stars has not gone unnoticed, with one protester even questioning the whereabouts of Ben Affleck on Day 1 of the actor's strike in mid-July, with him holding a sign that said, "Where the f**k is Ben Affleck?"
While many renowned A-listers, including Rachel McAdams, Bryan Cranston, Mark Ruffalo, Quinta Brunson, Allison Janney and Bob Odenkirk among others, have actively shown their support by participating in the strike, many others have not been present on the picket lines during the strikes. Prominent actors such as Tom Cruise, Denzel Washington, Sandra Bullock, George Clooney and Julia Roberts were among the stars whose absence has been noted by protesters. The lack of prominent celebrities at the front lines of the strike has been a point of discussion among protesters and industry insiders, leading some to express disappointment in the apparent lack of visible support from the Hollywood elite.
Why aren't A-listers at the picket line?
However, some mega-stars' absence might be due to complex reasons that keep them from joining in person. "It’s not necessarily to our advantage for the people who are the most successful, wealthy and visible to be taking up space right now," one SAG-AFTRA picketeer told Variety, adding, "We already have a perception problem where people say, 'These are just a bunch of rich actors.' Those stars don’t work for scale pay; they don’t need the protection of a better contract. If Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston show up, they look like they’re crying poor."
'Not a red carpet opportunity'
According to a top talent advisor, who preferred to remain anonymous, another factor in celebrity involvement was a matter of taste. The advisor revealed that they had multiple clients asking about which pickets they should attend and whether they should prepare with hair and makeup for potential media appearances. The advisor emphasized on the fact that the strikes were a "very serious matter, not a red carpet opportunity," cautioning clients against treating the protests as a glamorous event but rather as a vital cause demanding genuine commitment and support.
Stars aligned with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) noted that some A-list actors have become serious producers due to the content boom from streaming. These actors, including Witherspoon, Margot Robbie and Ryan Reynolds, may be cautious about openly supporting the strike to avoid potential conflicts of interest with their dual roles as both performers and producers.
Some in the industry believe there is a middle ground where stars can be effective without being a distraction. While some picketers expressed frustration seeing Brad Pitt, Ariana Grande and Andrew Garfield photographed at Wimbledon during the strike's initial weekend, a power publicist suggested that stars like Pitt could still show support by wearing SAG-AFTRA shirts when they know they will be in the public eye. Similarly, an Emmy awards consultant recommended that actors like Jeremy Allen White, known for grabbing attention with shirtless photos, could use their visibility on the picket lines to do daily workouts in front of the struck companies. Finding ways to show support without overshadowing the cause may strike a balance between celebrity involvement and the strike's core objectives.
"The real place the A-listers can help is donating to relief funds and lobbying the studio heads behind the scenes," an agent said. Dwayne Johnson made a generous seven-figure donation to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation on Monday, July 24. The foundation provided financial aid to members facing hardships resulting from the work stoppage caused by the strike. Similarly, Jamie Lee Curtis and her husband, Christopher Guest, contributed $25,000 to the same cause last week. Their contributions highlighted the solidarity within the industry and the commitment of certain stars to help fellow performers during this challenging time.