Fran Drescher liked George Clooney’s reaction to the strike-ending settlement.
Drescher, the guild’s president, told Extra that Clooney, 62, praised her after the Screen Actors Guild and SAG-AFTRA reached an agreement with AMPTP this week to end the actors’ strike.
George Clooney remarked, ‘I would have bet my home and lost that you couldn’t get the deal that you did, that you wouldn’t have gotten over a billion dollars.’ That made me so delighted. “66-year-old Drescher
Drescher also expressed her pride in the union’s $1 billion settlement.
“We did get so much meat on the bone,” she remarked. This contract is a victory and exceptional, with so much in it that makes it significant for all of our members and future generations. That was also crucial since this is a historic period and we needed a landmark negotiation.”
In August, Hollywood icons George and Amal Clooney gave $1 million or more to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Emergency Financial Assistance Program.
George stated, “We stand ready to get back to the table and make a fair deal with the AMPTP. Until then, I’m delighted to assist the SAG-AFTRA Foundation and my fellow actors who may be struggling in this historic moment.”
“We’ve stood on the shoulders of the likes of Bette Davis and Jimmy Cagney, and it’s time for our generation to give something back,” he said. “I can’t thank Courtney [B. Vance] enough for his determination in putting this effort together by shedding light on the human toll happening right now and how we can work together to alleviate some of the pain and suffering.”
Actors went on strike on July 14. SAG members wanted improved pay, benefits, and AI protection.
After reaching a tentative deal Wednesday, the SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee said, “In a contract valued at over one billion dollars, we have achieved a deal of extraordinary scope that includes ‘above-pattern’ minimum compensation increases, unprecedented provisions for consent and compensation that will protect members from the threat of AI, and for the first time establishes a streaming participation bonus.”
The statement stated, “We have reached a contract that will help SAG-AFTRA members from every category build sustainable careers. This effort will assist thousands of performers today and in the future.”
AMPTP stated the accord “represents a new paradigm.”
It gives SAG-AFTRA the largest contract-on-contract gains in its history, including the largest minimum wage increase in 40 years, a new residual for streaming programs, extensive consent and compensation protections for artificial intelligence use, and large contract increases on all items.”
“The AMPTP is pleased to have reached a tentative agreement and looks forward to the industry telling great stories again,” it said.