Disney CEO Bob Iger’s Take On The Actors’ Strike Is Offensive

I’ve been chasing the dream over the past few years. Yep, you’ve guessed it. I’m a struggling actor, and as a struggling actor, I’ve been following the recent Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) strike with keen interest. It’s a pivotal moment for our industry, as we fight for fair wages and improved working conditions. So, when I read Disney CEO Bob Iger’s comments on the strike, I was, to put it mildly, a bit miffed.

Well, I was more than just a bit miffed. I was livid! Let me explain why, and why his take on the actors’ and writers’ strike is just plain wrong.

Disney’s CEO Bob Iger’s Take on the Strike

Credit: Thomas Hawk

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In an interview with CNBC’s “Squawk Box” (via Variety), Iger described the writers’ and actors’ unions going on strike as “very disturbing” and accused them of having “unrealistic” expectations. He went on to say that the strike was adding to the challenges the industry is already facing, which is, in his words, “very disruptive.”

Now, I don’t know about you, but as an actor, I find these comments rather dismissive and actually a testament to how big Hollywood producers and CEOs just don’t give a damn about actors and writers. We are the people who keep Hollywood going. Where would Hollywood, and in turn, these producers and CEOs, be without the writers and actors that made them? Answer: nowhere.

We’re not asking for the moon on a stick here. We’re asking for fair compensation for our work, for our time, for our talent. And to be told that our expectations are “unrealistic” feels like a slap in the face.

I’m actually rather surprised by what Iger said because he’s somebody that’s had to work incredibly hard to get to where he is today. He literally started at the bottom at Disney and worked his way all the way to the top. So, I would have expected someone with his background to understand what we are fighting for here. But, it seems as though money really does change people.

The Reality of the Acting Industry

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Let’s be clear: acting is not an easy job. It’s not just about showing up on set and saying a few lines. It’s about long hours, physical and emotional strain, and a constant struggle for job security. And let’s not forget that for every high-paid Hollywood star, there are thousands of actors barely scraping by.

So, when Iger talks about being “realistic about the business environment”, I have to wonder if he’s ever considered the reality of the acting environment. The reality of auditioning for role after role and facing constant rejection. The reality of working on a low-budget production for minimum wage because it’s a chance to do what you love.

Final Thoughts on Bob Iger’s comments on the actors’ and writers’ strike

Credit: Thomas Hawk

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In my opinion, Iger’s comments show a lack of understanding and empathy for the struggles actors face. It’s easy to talk about being “realistic” when you’re sitting in a comfortable office, earning millions of dollars a year. But for those of us on the ground, the reality is very different.

The SAG-AFTRA strike is not about being disruptive. It’s about standing up for our rights, for our value as actors. And if that’s “unrealistic”, then maybe it’s the industry that needs to change, not us.

What do you make of Bob Iger’s comments? I’d really love to know. I’d love to hear from you, so please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

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