Gay showrunners lead the way with strike relief funds
Hollywood heavyweights Greg Berlanti and Ryan Murphy have announced financial aid for the striking actors and writers of the shows they helm.
Out gay showrunner Greg Berlanti is donating $800,000 to his current and former employees affected by Hollywood’s ongoing labor strikes and hopes other head honchos in his industry to follow suit.
Berlanti, who is married to Robbie Rogers with whom he has two children, was quoted by Variety who sourced a leaked email in which the writer-director-producer wrote, “I realize not knowing when your job might return creates a significant financial and emotional hardship for many.”
“It is very important to me, and everyone at Berlanti Productions, that we are doing all that we can to help you during this moment.”
Berlanti, 51, made his start in the industry at the age of 26 as a writer for Dawson’s Creek. In 2006 he produced and wrote Brothers & Sisters for ABC, which aired for five seasons and featured the first same-sex legal marriage on network television. In 2007, Berlanti executive-produced Dirty Sexy Money for the network, which aired for two seasons and featured the first recurring transgender character on primetime television. Most recently, Berlanti produced the Amazon smash hit Red, White & Royal Blue.
It comes as prolific creator Ryan Murphy, 57, announced on his official Instagram account that he has established a $500,000 fund for his employees affected by the strikes.
The American Horror Story legend posted: “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. In recognition of this, I am inaugurating an assistance fund that will start at $500,000. This fund stands ready to support the exceptional casts and committed crews of Ryan Murphy Productions.”
“Together, we will navigate through this chapter, and before long, we’ll once again create, inspire, and innovate within the industry we love,” posted Murphy.
