Hollywood stars reacted with joy and relief over Wednesday’s news that the historic actors’ strike has finally ended.
The actors’ union’s negotiating team announced on Wednesday that the 160,000-member union had reached a tentative agreement with the group representing studios and streamers, ending the 118-day strike that began July 14.
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) announced the strike would end at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday. The SAG-AFTRA negotiating team agreed to a new three-year contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) representing eight major studios and streamers.
“We did it!!!!” SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher and former “The Nanny” star wrote on Instagram on Wednesday. “The Billion+ $ Deal! 3X the last contract! New ground was broke everywhere!.”
Drescher thanked union members “for hanging in and holding out for this historic deal!”
“Abbott Elementary” creator and star Quinta Brunson posted on Instagram Stories: “Oh, We’re very back.”
Actors Harris Dickinson and Zac Efron found out about the news that Hollywood is back in business while on the premiere red carpet for their movie, “The Iron Claw.”
“You’re joking, don’t tell me that now,” the visibly shocked Dickinson told Deadline from the red carpet after gathering basic details from the reporter. Dickinson acted as if he was leading fellow actors off the red carpet, saying, “Let’s get out of here and get back to work.”
“Let’s go!” Efron added emphatically.
On another corner of the premiere red carpet, “Iron Claw” star Jeremy Allen White learned about the historic settlement from Entertainment Tonight on camera.
“That’s amazing,” White said. “It makes me feel incredible. I don’t know the details of the deal but I’m sure that SAG got what we wanted, what they wanted.”
“I’m just so glad that the industry can start up again, it’s exciting for sure,” White added.
Octavia Spencer sent congratulations over an Instragram post.
“Ready to work now that the strike is over! Congratulations and thank you to our @sagaftra negotiating committee!” Spencer wrote. “Proud to stand in solidarity with all SAG members over the last 118 days.”
“Defending Your Life” star Albert Brooks managed to celebrate while promoting his upcoming documentary, a movie publicity action not allowed during the strike.
“The SAG strike is over!! I can finally say it: watch my documentary Saturday night at 8 on HBO/MAX!” Brooks wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Couldn’t say a word until now!!”
“Eternals” actor Kumail Nanjiani promised to promote his upcoming movie after the strike officially ended.
“YES!!! Hallelujah. I can tweet a certain trailer that I am VERY EXCITED ABOUT at midnight,” Nanjiani wrote on his X account.
“Hawaii Five-0” star Daniel Dae Kim exalted on X, writing, “Woo hooo!!!! Let’s hope the deal is fair and we can get back to work!”
