All the Celebs Showing Solidarity on the SAG-AFTRA Picket Line

Colin Farrell, Lupita Nyong’o, Jessica Chastain, and many more are popping up to picket two weeks into the actors union strike.

By Kady Ruth Ashcraft | July 19, 2023 | 6:16pm

Celebrities

We are evidently now living through “Hot Labor Summer,” a moniker that isn’t quite as catchy as it is heartening. Mid-July marked the launch of the SAG-AFTRA (actors union) strike; they joined the WGA (TV writers) strike, which had already been going for 11 weeks. And two weeks into the joint strike, Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) has introduced a bill to protect food stamp access for striking workers. It is very exciting to see the fruits of everyone’s frustration with greedy executives who luxuriate on yachts while keeping the large majority of these union members living paycheck to paycheck.

While on strike, SAG members aren’t allowed to promote projects they’ve made with big studios, which includes walking the red carpet; Barbie was the last big red (as in, pink) carpet event, as the Oppenheimer starts ditched their red carpet once their strike was announced. That’s why we’re getting Disney villains and real life villains at premieres instead. But just because the hot celebs with good labor politics aren’t on the red carpet doesn’t mean we can’t check out what they’re wearing on the picket line.

So, in a small show of solidarity with striking workers, here are some of the famous faces out there fighting the good fight. And if you’re feeling extra revved up by seeing Susan Sarandon in a gorgeous golden linen, consider donating to the Entertainment Community Fund, which supports striking workers in need of rent, medical, or other critical funds.

Colin Farrell

Never seen someone smolder on the picket line? Well, I’ve got just the thing for you. Also, Colin, my sincere thanks for rolling up your sleeves for this.

America Ferrera

This Barbie supports workers’ rights!!

Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita is mega prepared: dual fan necklace, sun protection, sticker letting everyone know why she’s not chanting at the top of her lungs, and enthusiasm for posing with other actors!

Steve Buscemi

Speaking at a huge SAG-AFTRA rally in Times Square on Tuesday, Buscemi made the face we all make when we learn just how small of a fraction actors’ demands account for in studios’ overall budgets.

Sarah Silverman

The most on-brand way for Sarah Silverman to call out studios that cut back the trees outside their lots (allegedly) to dissuade picketing actors and writers.

Jameela Jamil

Love looking cute on a picket line. (Although next time I suggest Jamil brings a little crossbody bag. Keeping track of a wallet during a heady time would stress me the hell out.)

Jack Black

King Jack Black respecting sun safety advice with his bucket hat and transition lenses. Extra points for his Cheshire Cat board shorts.

Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann

I haven’t seen Mariska look this concerned since the last time I watched SVU. But she should be concerned: Protecting actors’ livelihoods from AI and greedy studios is serious business. (Bonus appearance from her hot husband.)

Bryan Cranston

The one who knocks (I think? I don’t know, I didn’t watch Breaking Bad) going with the double solidarity fists at the Times Square rally.

Octavia Spencer

I’m dead at this photo. Nothing I love more than seeing an Oscar winner working her angles in a dad hat on the picket line.

Arian Moayed

The Succession actor—who recently starred alongside Jessica Chastain in A Doll’s House on Broadway—gave a rousing speech at the Times Square rally, which included some extremely on-the-nose points: “It’s like these people haven’t seen fucking Succession! It’s about you!”

Alan Cumming

My thoughts exactly.

Holland Taylor

I really love seeing everyone’s chic picket line outfits. That Holland Taylor looks amazing is, of course, not surprising though.

Kate Flannery

Meredith from The Office wants YOU to pay actors fair residual rates.

Michael Imperioli, Steve Schirripa, Michael Gaston

This makes the latent Sopranos fan in me extremely happy. Also, Steve Schirripa, who played Bobby “Bacala” Baccalieri, looks amazing. Has this man aged??

Daniel Dae Kim

Daniel Dae Kim walked the picket line looking cool as hell. As you were!

Beanie Feldstein

Beanie’s here, in sensible walking shoes and tying up her T-shirt the way all the cool camp counselors used to.

Brendan Fraser, Stephen Lang, and Jessica Chastain

Wow, I want Chastain’s jumpsuit (and her smile, hair, charisma, and talent). Also love to see Oscar winner Brendan Fraser on the circuit with the big name actors, where he belongs. As for Lang’s rolled-up t-shirt sleeves...no words.

Jeremy Allen White

Picketing with your comrades to create a better industry and working environment for all? Yes chef!!!

Julianna Margulies

The Good Wife? More like The Good Fight! Wait, that’s already a show, too? I stand by the joke.

Susan Sarandon

A breezy gold linen, cat-eyed sunnies, and a safety pin earring? Susan Sarandon is in this for the long haul.

Tyler James Williams

Our beloved Abbott Elementary star with the blindingly white crisp tank top is gonna stop traffic in these streets! (But not because he is actually in the streets, which is a violation while picketing. Remain on the sidewalk, Tyler!)

Yvette Nicole Brown

A sensible visor in the Los Angeles heat is chic and practical!

Hannah Einbinder

Stephen Colbert hat ON. Bisexual carabiner ON. She’s unstoppable.

Mira Sorvino

Hats are really in on the picket line, though this is the first dark, felted fedora I’ve seen. But Mira looks great and is righteously protesting, so I’ll take it.

Aisha Tyler

You’re not hardcore unless you live hardcore! The Wakanda hat with the Metallica tee is a winning combo.

F. Murray Abraham

One hundred 23-year-old dudes in Bushwick have dropped what they’re doing to rush to eBay and hunt for this exact fit, which I hope to see them also striking in.

Hilary Duff

Extra large crossbody bag, comfortable athletic shorts, and a wide-brimmed straw hat are what dreams are made of (but whoever took this photo needs to wipe their lens clean)!

Kal Penn

A company man! Or like, an anti-company man. A union man! Kal looks sleek and like he is getting down to business.

J. Smith Cameron

Gerri!! This look is perfect for when you have the strike at 1 p.m. and are meeting up with your slime puppy finance bro boyfriend right after.

Vanessa Hudgens

Those chunky-soled sneaks were made for walking, and walking is just what Vanessa Hudgens will do on that picket line.

Tom Cruise

Wow, Tom Cruise looks so dapper at the—ha ha, just kidding. Cruise, when reportedly asked by SAG to join a picket line to show his support, was “noncommittal” but offered to help in other ways. Uhm, more like Mission Scab.

Bette Midler

Legend. I get the sense that Bette Midler possesses the determination to picket until Bob Iger falls to his knees and personally apologizes to her.

David Duchovny

David Duchovny in a baby blue terrycloth polo with an X-Files-adjacent protest sign was not on my bingo card. But now? Baby, now it’s on my vision board.

Mandy Moore

This Is Us? More like that is Mandy Moore in a sensible bucket hat and SAG-AFTRA shirt.

Justine Lupe and Alan Ruck

Con-heads assemble! In a gift to all of us still going through Succession withdrawals, Lupe and Ruck are providing us with some extended fan-fiction. Thank you.