Dwayne Johnson ROCKS Seven-Figure Donation To SAG-AFTRA

When SAG-AFTRA declared a strike on July 13, making the "Oppenheimer" cast walk out of the UK premiere, wheels were set in motion, leading all the way to Dwayne Johnson.

SAG-AFTRA President Courtney B. Vance talks about how Johnson's historical donation is a "call to arms."

As per an interview with Variety magazine, SAG-AFTRA Foundation President Courtney B. Vance and executive director Cyd Wilson sat down and together, drafted a letter to 2,700 of the union’s highest-earning actors. The letter basically spoke about the financial need that many would face in the work stoppage.

The list of highest-paid actors includes Dwayne Johnson, of course, along with others Leonardo DiCaprio, and Chris Hemsworth.

This is not the first time money has been needed to help some of the 160,000 members of the SAG-AFTRA union. While celebrities do not need a cash influx to tide over the non-working days, plenty of others do, and this non-profit foundation is something that helped many tide over the rough days during COVID as well.

In the interview, Wilson claims that whenever in need, relief is provided to the members from the foundation's Emergency Financial Assistance Program, and with the strike not seeing a quick end, it might come in handy again. Said Wilson, "We have been very fortunate that we raised enough money to be able to cover all of our programs. But when we hit a crisis like this and we’re going to spend millions and millions of dollars in financial assistance, this is when we need our high profile talent who can afford it, who are in a situation to help others."

Once the letters were sent, Johnson's team got in touch with Vance, indicating that the actor wanted to help, so Vance had a phone call with him, which he describes as a "love fest."

Vance recalls telling Johnson, "It’s like, ‘Man, you’re stepping up in a way that is allowing others to know the dire necessity of it.'" The sum is in seven figures although the exact amount has been kept under wraps, but Vance is all praise for Johnson: "This is him saying, 'In such a time as this, I’m here and I’m not going anywhere, whatever you need me to do.' And that sends a huge message to other folks to do the same thing."

Johnson's donation has the potential to help 7,000 to 10,000 SAG-AFTRA union members, and it's something Vance is grateful to the actor for. He admits it's the largest single donation that the foundation has ever received from a single individual at a time and told Variety, "That one check is going to help thousands of actors keep food on their table, keep their kids safe, and keep their cars running. And it’s not lost on me that he’s very humble about this, but it is a way to get us started."

The Instagram handle of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation shared this news and fans seemed smitten by Johnson's generosity. Johnson himself is keeping mum about the same, not reacting to any comments or questions coming his way about the same, choosing to be generous, quietly.

The fans say it all via plenty of appreciative comments, like:

"And THAT, ladies and gentlemen is who he is and why he is loved by so many. What an incredible human. ❤️ Bravo, Bravo."

"I have heard nothing but the MOST amazing things about him. Truly as genuine, kind, and giving as he appears. ❤️ amazing."

"This is what true members of Hollywood do during times like this. It shows the compassion members need to get through this."

"No one helps others in need and hunger more that those who went hungry before and made it big. It’s in their nature that they don’t desire others to feel the pain they once felt. Good job Mr. Johnson. Thank you for being a giving person."

Here's another sweet instance of Johnson being The Rock, for someone who needed him.