Hollywood Facing First Shutdown in 60 Years

News Desk 

Los Angeles: Hollywood has entered its first industrywide shutdown in more than six decades after thousands of actors walked off the job, joining striking screenwriters in a standoff with major studios over pay, working conditions and the growing use of artificial intelligence.

The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), which represents around 160,000 performers, called the strike after negotiations with studios failed to produce an agreement.

The action brings the two largest groups of Hollywood creative workers into a simultaneous strike for the first time since 1960, threatening production schedules across television and film.

SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher said the dispute represented a critical moment for performers, particularly as the industry faces rapid technological change. She warned that the increasing use of AI and the growing influence of major corporations could fundamentally change how actors work and are compensated.

The actors’ union has been seeking improved pay and safeguards against the use of artificial intelligence, alongside other changes to employment conditions.

The strike follows nearly three months of industrial action by Hollywood writers, who have been protesting outside the offices of major entertainment companies including Disney and Netflix.

With actors now barred from performing promotional activities as well as working on productions, the impact is expected to extend beyond film and television sets. Actors cannot promote upcoming releases, potentially disrupting publicity campaigns during the summer movie season.

Television productions are also expected to face significant delays, while prolonged industrial action could force studios to reconsider planned film release dates.

The strike involves performers across the industry, ranging from major stars such as Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence and Glenn Close to actors working in smaller television roles.

The dispute also highlights growing concerns over how streaming has changed the economics of entertainment, with performers seeking better compensation as traditional revenue models have evolved.

SAG-AFTRA members had already shown strong support for strike action, with about 98 percent voting to authorise a walkout if negotiations failed.

The last major actors’ strike took place in 1980 and lasted for more than three months. The current shutdown could similarly have far-reaching consequences if studios and unions fail to reach a settlement.

With both actors and writers now on strike, Hollywood faces mounting pressure to resolve the dispute before the disruption spreads further across production, promotion and the wider entertainment industry.