13 Sep - Filmmaker Steven Spielberg and former actress wife Kate Capshaw have joined a slew of celebrities who donated to the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strike funds. It was reported that the couple have already added to the Entertainment Community Fund (ECF) and the SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Emergency Financial Assistance Program since May, with the donation amounting to USD 1.5 million. These funds, especially ECF, helps film workers involved in the strike to cover basic living expenses, including rent, mortgage payments, food, utilities, and medical needs.
At the moment, these funds have been distributed to those in need, around US$400,000 to 700,000 weekly. Among others who have been revealed to have donated to the cause include showrunners Greg Berlanti and Ryan Murphy, as well as "Bridesmaids" director Paul Feig, who contributed US$100,000 to the Motion Picture and Television Fund's Community Care Fund. A-list actors Meryl Streep, George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicole Kidman and Ryan Reynolds too had each made donations of US$1 million or more to support fellow actors and writers on strike.