Matilda star Mara Wilson has revealed she has never earned enough money to qualify for Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists (SAG-AFTRA) healthcare during the age of streaming, as the Hollywood actors union joined screenwriters on strike for the first time in more than six decades.
Taking to Twitter after it was announced on Thursday that the union — which represents approximately 160,000 actors and entertainers — would join the Writers Guild of America (WGA) on the picket line, the actress wrote: ‘I haven’t acted much as an adult, but I WAS on a recurring character on one of the most critically acclaimed animated shows of all time, as well playing an actual Disney villain.
‘But thanks to streaming, I have never once made enough to qualify for SAG-AFTRA healthcare.’
Wilson, 35, rose to fame in 1993 at the age of six after scoring the role of Natalie ‘Nattie’ Hillard in the film Mrs. Doubtfire at her first movie audition, having only appeared in a few television commercials before.
Time for change: Bojack Horseman star Mara Wilson has revealed she has never earned enough money to qualify for SAG-AFTRA healthcare
Keeping it real: The Matilda actress shared the surprising fact after the Hollywood actors union joined screenwriters on strike for the first time in more than six decades
She went on to play Susan Walker in Miracle on 34th Street the following year and starred in the lead role of Matilda Wormwood in the film Matilda in 1996 – cementing her place as one of the most recognizable child stars in the 90s.
However, as an adult, the former Hollywood darling has taken a major step back from on-camera work, instead lending her vocal talents to animated shows.
In the tweet, the star was referencing her roles in Netflix black comedy, BoJack Horseman, and Disney’s Big Hero 6 TV series, respectively.
SAG-AFTRA has often been criticized for their ‘unfair’ requirements in order for actor’s to qualify for health coverage.
The organization currently states that you ‘must earn $26,470 in your Base Earnings Period to receive Earned Eligibility for Active Plan health coverage.’
Up-and-coming stars have often lamented over the earnings threshold, while even established Hollywood stars have spoken out about receiving inadequate assistance later in their career.
In March, Charmed star Shannen Doherty, 51, accused SAG-AFTRA of canceling her union health insurance amid her battle with stage four metastatic breast cancer.
While Sharon Stone revealed in 2021 that her insurance was cancelled over an unpaid $13 bill.
Elsewhere, SAG-AFTRA membership rules have long been under fire from upcoming actors, due to its strict rules for eligibility.
Strict rules: SAG-AFTRA has often been criticized for their ‘unfair’ requirements in order for actor’s to qualify for health coverage
Famous face: Wilson starred in the lead role of Matilda Wormwood in the film Matilda in 1996 – cementing her place as one of the most recognizable child stars in the 90s
In the tweet, Wilson was referencing her roles in Netflix black comedy, BoJack Horseman (pictured), and Disney’s Big Hero 6 TV series
The most common way to become a member is to get hired on a project covered by the union, however many in Hollywood takes years – or even, decades – before landing a big break on a union project.
Until then, they are forced to either join a sister union or create their own independent projects in qualify for SAGIndie.
The rules of the union are under scrutiny after Thursday morning saw that announcement that the union leadership had officially voted for a work stoppage after their demands for higher wages and protections against artificial intelligence were not met.
SAG-AFTRA was demanding higher pay to counteract inflation, and guarantees for their future livelihoods.
In addition to salaries when they are actively working, actors earn payments called ‘residuals’ every time a film or show they starred in is aired on network or cable — which is particularly helpful when performers are between projects.
Actress Fran Drescher, the president of SAG-AFTRA, announced the union would strike on Thursday
But streamers like Netflix and Disney+ do not disclose viewing figures for their shows, and offer the same flat rate for everything on their platforms, regardless of its popularity.
Muddying the waters further is the issue of AI. The union was seeking ‘a groundbreaking AI proposal that protects actors’ digital likenesses.’
Actors are worried that their digital images could be used without their permission or proper compensation.
Announcing the strike Thursday afternoon, actress Fran Drescher, who serves as the president of SAG-AFTRA, said: ‘We demand respect! You cannot exist without us!
‘What happens to us is important,’ The Nanny star added. ‘What’s happening to us is happening across all fields of labor.
United front: SAG-AFTRA has joined the ongoing WGA strike which has been taking place since May
‘When employers make Wall Street and greed their priority and they forget about the essential contributors who make the machine run, we have a problem.
‘The jig is up, we demand respect,’ she said.
Almost immediately afterwards, picketing screenwriters outside Netflix’s Hollywood offices started chanting: ‘Pay Your Actors!’
At the same time, the cast of Oppenheimer walked out of the film’s UK premiere in ‘solidarity’ with the actors’ union.
