Actors who’ve ‘played blue’ on TV and film are donating to BLM causes
Over the past week, celebrities and influencers around the world have taken to their platforms to share the ways in which they are contributing to the Black Lives Matter movement. And now, actors who have played police officers and detectives on TV or in movies are getting involved, donating to bail funds and organizations that combat racial injustice.
Paying tribute to George Floyd’s heartbreaking death and the global conversation surrounding the systemic issue of police brutality, Griffin Newman shared a note to Twitter yesterday aimed at inspiring positive action.
The actor, who most recently starred as Arthur Everest in The Tick, wrote, “I’m an out-of-work actor who (improbably) played a detective on two episodes of Blue Bloods almost a decade ago. If you currently play a cop? If you make tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in residuals from playing a cop? I’ll let you do the math.”
[video_embed id='1968221']RELATED: CNN correspondent arrested as George Floyd protests continue[/video_embed]I’m an out-of-work actor who (improbably) played a detective on two episodes of BLUE BLOODS almost a decade ago.
If you currently play a cop?If you make tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in residuals from playing a cop?I’ll let you do the math. pic.twitter.com/En4ww2OSjP— Griffin Newman (@GriffLightning) June 2, 2020
The actor chose to donate $11,000 to Community Justice Exchange through ActBlue, reminding his followers that “Blue actors should donate to Act Blue." This seemingly inspired an influx of donations to the initiative from his network, including a follower who played a police officer in his high school production of Annie.
Since Newman began the movement, countless other actors have been tagged in his post, including Ice-T, The Rock, and Andy Samberg. Stephanie Beatriz, known for her work on Brooklyn Nine-Nine opposite Samberg, quickly stepped up to the plate when she matched Newman’s contribution of $11,000.I played a cop in my high school production of Annie. pic.twitter.com/EQPtF61AP5
— Eric Owens (@EricDOwens) June 2, 2020
I’m an actor who plays a detective on tv.
If you currently play a cop?If you make tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in residuals from playing a cop?I’ll let you do the math. (Thanks @GriffLightning for leading the way). pic.twitter.com/Xxf3dU0urF— Stephanie Beatriz (@iamstephbeatz) June 2, 2020
Many fans took the opportunity to thank her for leveraging her platform in such a positive way, noting that she “recognizes the responsibility [she] has playing a cop on TV."
Following her donation, Beatriz took to Twitter to announce "something coming" from the Brooklyn Nine-Nine team in relation to the Black Lives Matter movement. Hours later showrunner, Dan Goor revealed heand the cast came together to donate $100,000 to the National Bail Fund Network in honour of George Floyd.[video_embed id='1969694']RELATED: Drake & The Weeknd make large donations to BLM groups[/video_embed]#JusticeForGeorgeFloyd https://t.co/mwCLtdpW0p pic.twitter.com/Z8HRCTvZD3
— Dan Goor (@djgoor) June 3, 2020
