Hollywood actors have come forward to expose the meager pay they receive for their acclaimed performances during a strike by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA). As picket lines snake through the city, these stars demand better compensation, fair AI practices and better working conditions.
Kimiko Glenn, famous for her role as inmate Brooke Soso on the hit series Orange is the New Black (OITNB), recently shared a shocking truth on Instagram. Reposting a Tik Tok video from 2020, Glenn announced his royalty check for his work on OITNB, saying, “I’m going to be so rich!” The camera then panned to reveal the shockingly low sum of just $27.30 to appear in 45 episodes.
Joining the chorus, Matt McGorry, who played prison guard John Bennett in Orange Is the New Black, confirmed the fight. “I continued my job throughout the time I was on the show because it paid better than the megahit TV show we were on,” he candidly revealed. Many, including Beth Dover, have expressed their frustrations, citing the financial toll their roles have taken.
Luke Cooke, best known for playing Lucifer in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, took to TikTok to set the record straight. Responding to accusations that actors are wealthy individuals looking for even bigger fortunes, Cook debunked the misconception. “95% of the actors at SAG can’t make a living acting,” he declared. “I’m one of those actors.” Cook revealed that she was paid just $7,500 for a supporting role on Hulu’s Dollface, not including a single billboard appearance.
Even series regulars like Grace Dua, who played Shaun Barnes in the recent Max reboot of Gossip Girl, found herself working multiple jobs to make ends meet. Despite being part of a high-profile show, Dua revealed that she still relies on work at a pilot studio to survive financially.
As the struggle gathers momentum, it’s clear that Hollywood’s shiny facade often masks the harsh reality many actors face. With their stories now in the spotlight, SAG-AFTRA hopes their demands for fairer compensation and better working conditions will finally be heard.