George Clooney blasts 'inflection point in industry' as he throws support to SAG

On Thursday, the SAG-AFTRA union, whose membership consists of 160,000 Hollywood actors, announced they would be going ahead with strikes joining the legions of WGA writers.

For working actors, this decision involves so much more than simply no longer acting, with an extensive list of work-related activities that could have dire consequences for some.

Hanging in alignment with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike, SAG-AFTRA are hitting the picket lines in a bid for a better deal for working writers and actors in the wake of the streaming boom.

One of Hollywood's high-paid actors George Clooney has now spoken out in support of the walkout, with the statement: "Actors and writers in large numbers have lost their ability to make a living.

"This is an inflection point in our industry.

"For our industry to survive that has to change. For actors, that journey starts now."

George is not the only actor to voice their support, with the cast of Oppenheimer leaving their London premiere prematurely to "go and write their picket signs".

During the red-carpet interviews, prior to their walkout, Matt Damon confirmed to Variety that "once the strike was called" he and cast members Emily Blunt, Rami Malek, Cillian Murphy, and Florence Pugh were "going to walk obviously in solidarity".

Actress Jessica Chastain also expressed her support on Twitter, writing: "The AMPTP refused to make a fair deal on television, theatrical, and streaming work.

"We are not afraid of a fight and we will not back down. My union, SAG/AFTRA, is now on strike."

Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk reshared a video of SAG president Fran Drescher’s "powerful statement" shaming "disgusting" studios "pleading poverty" when they "give $100 million to their CEOs".

Odenkirk wrote: "Holy Cow. Go Fran Go! This was a powerful statement.

"I stand with Fran and everyone in SAG and WGA in this extended moment...onwards."