Ryan Murphy is throwing out a lifeline to help past and present cast and crews under his employ that need financial assistance during Hollywood’s dual strikes.
Murphy has committed $500,000 to launch the Ryan Murphy Productions Assistance Fund, which “stands ready to support the exceptional casts and committed crews of Ryan Murphy Productions.” The creation of the fund was announced on Instagram Friday with a post directing those in need to a website where they can apply for financial assistance. With Murphy being one of Hollywood’s most prolific creators of television and film, the initiative could support thousands.
“Every story we’ve woven, each character brought to life and every set constructed carry with them an inimitable thread of collaboration. As my colleagues face the challenges brought forth by the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, the imperative to support each other is even more pronounced,” reads the post. “Together, we will navigate through this chapter and before long, we’ll once again create, inspire and innovate within the industry we love.”
Members of the Writers Guild of America went on strike May 2 over an ongoing labor dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). Members of SAG-AFTRA joined the picket lines on July 14, causing a widespread work stoppage in Hollywood.
The move to launch the Ryan Murphy Productions Assistance Fund comes ahead of the launch of Murphy’s latest, American Horror Story: Delicate starring Emma Roberts, Kim Kardashian, Cara Delevingne, Billie Lourd and Matt Czuchry among others. The FX series was picketed by members of the WGA during filming amid a dust-up with East Coast strike captain Warren Leight. At the time, Murphy also had shows American Sports Story and American Horror Stories in production on the East Coast.
Murphy has been known to step up and offer his support to Hollywood professionals during times of need. In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Murphy matched a $100,000 donation from Netflix to support the Motion Picture & Television Fund. He also teamed with the Actors Fund (now called the Entertainment Community Fund) on an auction to help those who were out of work during the pandemic. Separately, he once donated $10 million to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Among the many Ryan Murphy Productions titles on which cast and crew members would be eligible for assistance include Nip/Tuck, Glee, Hollywood, Halston, The Prom, The Politician, AHS, Feud, Scream Queens, Ratched, American Crime Story, The Watcher, The Normal Heart, The Watcher and Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story among many others.
