Ford's $100,000 Gesture

By Stephen M. Silverman

07/27/1998 at 12:00 AM EDT

As the actors' strike against the advertising industry over payment and residual contract continues into its fifth month, Harrison Ford has donated $100,000 to union members who are suffering financially because of the walkout, reports Variety. The gesture by Ford follows an earlier, similar donation of equal amount made by Kevin Spacey. Other gifts have reportedly been made by George Clooney, Jay Leno, Britney Spears, 'N Sync and the Screen Actors Guild Foundation (which gave $500,000 alone). "We're thrilled by this extremely generous contribution by Mr. Ford," foundation executive director Marcia Smith said. "Many of our members haven't worked since before the strike started and have nowhere to turn except for the strike relief fund." The job action has been supported by actors on both sides of the political spectrum, from Charlton Heston, who marched in a Los Angeles demonstration a few weeks ago, to Tom Hanks and Paul Newman, who led West Coast and East Coast rallies, respectively, this week.