File – SAG-AFTRA member John Schmitt, second from right, and others carry signs on the picket line outside Netflix on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in Los Angeles. Saturday marks the 100th day that film and TV performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have been on strike, seeking changes to compensation and protections from use of artificial intelligence in their craft. Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
FILE – SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher and SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, center, pose with SAG-AFTRA members during a press conference announcing a strike by The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists on Thursday, July, 13, 2023, in Los Angeles. Saturday marks the 100th day that film and TV performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have been on strike, seeking changes to compensation and protections from use of artificial intelligence in their craft. Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
FILE – SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher, center, and SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland speak during a press conference announcing a strike by The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists on Thursday, July, 13, 2023, in Los Angeles. Saturday marks the 100th day that film and TV performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have been on strike, seeking changes to compensation and protections from use of artificial intelligence in their craft. Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
FILE – Actors Tien Tran, from left, Hilary Duff and Francia Raisa, cast members in the television series “How I Met Your Father,” carry signs on a picket line outside Paramount studios in Los Angeles on Monday, July 17, 2023. Saturday marks the 100th day that film and TV performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have been on strike, seeking changes to compensation and protections from use of artificial intelligence in their craft. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File) Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
FILE – Actor Jon Cryer, left and WGA supporter Soloman Ghirmai join SAG-AFTRA picketers outside the gates of Warner Bros. studios in Burbank, Calif., Tuesday, Sep. 26, 2023. Saturday marks the 100th day that film and TV performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have been on strike, seeking changes to compensation and protections from use of artificial intelligence in their craft. Richard Vogel/AP
FILE – Actors Samantha Hanratty, right, and Liv Hewson, members of the cast of “Yellowjackets,” carry signs on a picket line outside Paramount studios in Los Angeles on Monday, July 17, 2023. Saturday marks the 100th day that film and TV performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have been on strike, seeking changes to compensation and protections from use of artificial intelligence in their craft. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File) Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
FILE – Actors Chandler Kinney, from left, Bailee Madison, and Malia Pyles carry signs on a picket line outside NBC in Rockefeller Center on Monday, July 17, 2023, in New York. Saturday marks the 100th day that film and TV performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have been on strike, seeking changes to compensation and protections from use of artificial intelligence in their craft. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File) Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
FILE – Sarah Silverman, right, walks on a picket line outside Netflix studios on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023, in Los Angeles. Saturday marks the 100th day that film and TV performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have been on strike, seeking changes to compensation and protections from use of artificial intelligence in their craft. Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
FILE – Actor Walt Keller dressed as Mister Rogers carries a sign on the picket line outside Universal Studios on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, in Universal City, Calif. Saturday marks the 100th day that film and TV performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have been on strike, seeking changes to compensation and protections from use of artificial intelligence in their craft. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File) Richard Shotwell/Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
FILE – Actor Sharon Lawrence takes part in a rally by striking writers and actors outside Paramount studios in Los Angeles on Friday, July 14, 2023. Saturday marks the 100th day that film and TV performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have been on strike, seeking changes to compensation and protections from use of artificial intelligence in their craft. Chris Pizzello/AP
FILE – Zach Braff, left, and Donald Faison walk on a picket line outside Netflix studios on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. Saturday marks the 100th day that film and TV performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have been on strike, seeking changes to compensation and protections from use of artificial intelligence in their craft. Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
FILE – Frances Fisher appears on a picket line outside Warner Bros. studios on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Burbank, Calif. Saturday marks the 100th day that film and TV performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have been on strike, seeking changes to compensation and protections from use of artificial intelligence in their craft. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File) Richard Shotwell/Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
FILE – Actors Jack Black, right, and Kate Flannery walk on a picket line outside Netflix studios on Friday, July 28, 2023, in Los Angeles. Saturday marks the 100th day that film and TV performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have been on strike, seeking changes to compensation and protections from use of artificial intelligence in their craft. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File) Richard Shotwell/Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
FILE – Kal Penn, center, and John Cho, right, speak during a rally outside Paramount Pictures Studio on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Los Angeles. Saturday marks the 100th day that film and TV performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have been on strike, seeking changes to compensation and protections from use of artificial intelligence in their craft. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File) Richard Shotwell/Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
FILE – Actor Bryan Cranston speaks during the SAG-AFTRA “Rock the City for a Fair Contract” rally in Times Square on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in New York. Saturday marks the 100th day that film and TV performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have been on strike, seeking changes to compensation and protections from use of artificial intelligence in their craft. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File) Charles Sykes/Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
FILE – Actor Ezra Knight speaks during the SAG-AFTRA “Rock the City for a Fair Contract” rally in Times Square on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in New York. Saturday marks the 100th day that film and TV performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have been on strike, seeking changes to compensation and protections from use of artificial intelligence in their craft. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File) Charles Sykes/Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
FILE – Writer Kimberly Alsup selects alphabet letter beads for a friendship bracelet outside the gates of Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, Calif., Thursday, Sep. 21, 2023. Saturday marks the 100th day that film and TV performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have been on strike, seeking changes to compensation and protections from use of artificial intelligence in their craft. Damian Dovarganes/AP
FILE – Actors Kevin Bacon, left, and Kyra Sedgwick take part in a picket line outside NBCUniversal at 30 Rockefeller Plaza on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in New York. Saturday marks the 100th day that film and TV performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have been on strike, seeking changes to compensation and protections from use of artificial intelligence in their craft. Ted Shaffrey/AP
FILE – Director of Photography Jac Cheairs and his son, actor Wyatt Cheairs, 11, take part in a rally by striking writers and actors outside Netflix studio in Los Angeles on Friday, July 14, 2023. Saturday marks the 100th day that film and TV performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have been on strike, seeking changes to compensation and protections from use of artificial intelligence in their craft. Chris Pizzello/AP
FILE – Kate Flannery appears on a picket line outside Paramount studios on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Los Angeles. Saturday marks the 100th day that film and TV performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have been on strike, seeking changes to compensation and protections from use of artificial intelligence in their craft. Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
FILE – Cast and writers from “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul” pose on a picket line outside Sony Pictures studios on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023, in Culver City, Calif. Pictured from left are Patrick Fabian, Rhea Seehorn, Norma Maldonado, Aaron Paul, Peter Gould, Betsy Brandt, Matt Jones, Charles Baker, Jesse Plemons and Bryan Cranston. Saturday marks the 100th day that film and TV performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have been on strike, seeking changes to compensation and protections from use of artificial intelligence in their craft. Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
FILE – Picketers demonstrate outside Paramount Pictures studio on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in Los Angeles. Saturday marks the 100th day that film and TV performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have been on strike, seeking changes to compensation and protections from use of artificial intelligence in their craft. Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
FILE – SAG-AFTRA captain Demetri Belardinelli looks over a bulletin board commemorating the 99th day of the actors’ strike, Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, outside Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, Calif. Saturday marks the 100th day that film and TV performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have been on strike, seeking changes to compensation and protections from use of artificial intelligence in their craft. Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hollywood’s TV and film actors have been striking for 100 days now, and there’s no end in sight.
The strike began July 14 at what should have been a celebratory time for many performers and the industry. Nominations for the Emmy Awards had just been announced, heaping praise on shows like “Succession,” “The Last of Us” and “The White Lotus.” The #Barbenheimer craze was in full swing and poised to set the box office on fire, giving another jolt to still-recovering movie theaters.
While the writers strike — declared more than two months before — had slowed the industry, it immediately ground to a halt with a fiery speech from actors guild President Fran Drescher. Actors joined writers on the picket lines for the first dual strike in more than 60 years.
Work on new seasons of shows like “Abbott Elementary” and shooting on films like “Deadpool 3” stopped. Outside studio offices in California and New York, and at filming hubs around the country, actors have picketed, rallied and called on entertainment companies to share in a bigger share of streaming successes and give them protections from the use of artificial intelligence.
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Premieres were canceled, or featured only directors — some of whom found creative ways to spotlight the actors missing their moment. The actors whose work got guild permission to promote projects used their voices and clothing to show support for the strike.
Cast reunions — like Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul and other “Breaking Bad” actors — melded fans’ affection for shows and their stars to the actors’ demands.
September came and went with muted fall film festivals and no Emmy Awards, which moved to January.
Last month’s deal between screenwriters and the studios and streaming giants led to hope that actors would reach an agreement too. Those hopes were dashed earlier this month when negotiations broke down, leaving awards season in flux. On Saturday, the actors’ union and studios said in a joint statement that negotiations will resume next week on Tuesday, with several studio executives expected to join.
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So for now, the picket signs will stay out, and actors will remain on sidewalks instead of sets.