Actors Who Backed Universal Basic Income for Creatives

More and more artists are talking about universal basic income (UBI) as a way to address growing financial insecurity in the entertainment industry. Many well-known performers believe a guaranteed income is crucial for supporting a wide range of creative work. They argue that having a financial safety net would allow artists to focus on their work without constantly worrying about money. Here’s a list of fifteen actors who have publicly supported UBI, both to help people in creative fields and workers in all industries.

Danny Glover

Throughout his acting career, known for films like ‘Lethal Weapon’ and ‘The Color Purple’, Danny Glover has consistently championed economic fairness. He’s been a vocal supporter of ideas like a guaranteed basic income, believing it would help fight poverty and inequality by providing a crucial safety net for workers and artists. Glover’s commitment to justice also reaches globally, as he actively promotes human rights and financial stability for everyone.

Mark Ruffalo

Mark Ruffalo, famous for his acting in films like ‘The Avengers’ and ‘Spotlight,’ is also a passionate environmental activist. He’s a strong supporter of universal basic income, believing it’s essential to guarantee everyone can cover their basic needs. Ruffalo argues that a guaranteed income would free people to pursue creative passions without worrying about financial ruin. He frequently points out how wealth inequality impacts independent artists and creators in today’s world.

Susan Sarandon

Susan Sarandon often speaks out about the need for strong social safety nets and highlights this theme in her films, such as ‘Thelma and Louise’. She’s a strong advocate for a universal basic income, believing it would provide financial stability for people struggling to make ends meet. Sarandon argues this would also free up artists and creatives to focus on their work without the constant worry of survival. She consistently champions broader changes to support both working-class individuals and the arts community.

Stephen Fry

Following his work on films like ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘V for Vendetta’, Stephen Fry has joined calls for a regular, guaranteed income for people working in the arts. He believes the creative industries are vital to society and need more financial security. Fry explained that a basic income would help prevent talented artists from being forced to leave the profession during tough economic times, ensuring a wider range of voices continue to thrive in the entertainment industry.

Brian Cox

Brian Cox, known for his role in the TV series ‘Succession’, strongly supports testing a universal basic income in Scotland. He argues that today’s economy doesn’t recognize how uncertain many careers are. Cox believes a guaranteed income would help people pursue careers in the arts long-term by providing much-needed stability. He often emphasizes that financial security gives everyone dignity, no matter what job they do.

Jane Fonda

Alongside her acting work in ‘Grace and Frankie’, Jane Fonda is a strong advocate for economic changes, including providing a guaranteed basic income to everyone. She regularly participates in protests and campaigns aimed at reducing the wealth gap. Fonda believes a universal basic income is crucial for supporting people who focus on making a difference through social work and the arts. Her decades of activism demonstrate her dedication to protecting those most in need.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, known for films like ‘Inception’ and ‘Looper’, has been thinking about how technology is changing the job market. He proposes that a guaranteed basic income might be needed as more jobs, even in entertainment, are taken over by automation. He believes this would free people to focus on creative work instead of routine tasks, and he wants to start a wider discussion about how to support artists and creators in a future increasingly shaped by technology.

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg, the actress known for films like ‘Ghost’ and ‘Sister Act,’ has spoken about the potential advantages of providing a guaranteed income to those with lower earnings. She believes regular payments could help people cover everyday costs while they work towards their career goals. Goldberg sees this as a way to offer people working in unpredictable jobs a greater sense of financial stability and respect. Ultimately, she’s a proponent of practical solutions to strengthen social support systems and improve life for all.

Ian McKellen

Ian McKellen has publicly supported a basic income for performers, a cause he feels strongly about. He understands that many aspiring actors face financial hardship as they begin their careers in a tough industry. McKellen believes financial support is essential to make sure people from all walks of life can participate in the arts, ultimately protecting the industry’s future and its cultural value by helping those most at risk.

Helen Mirren

Having enjoyed a successful career, including her role in ‘The Queen’, Helen Mirren is now advocating for a regular, guaranteed income for people working in the arts. She points out that while the creative sector is important to the economy, artists often don’t have the same financial security as workers in other fields. Mirren believes a basic income would help artists keep creating without constantly worrying about money. Her support for this idea has highlighted the financial difficulties faced by many actors and other creative professionals.

Michael Sheen

Michael Sheen is a passionate supporter of social justice and has often championed the idea of testing universal basic income, even while acting in ‘Good Omens’. He thinks providing people with a guaranteed basic income could empower communities and allow individuals to contribute more fully to society. Sheen has collaborated with organizations to investigate how this policy could help those in creative fields who often experience unpredictable earnings. His work stems from a belief that wealth and opportunity should be more fairly shared.

Riz Ahmed

Riz Ahmed, known for his roles in ‘Sound of Metal’ and ‘The Night Of’, has spoken about the challenges many people face trying to work in the arts. He advocates for a guaranteed minimum income, believing it would allow more diverse voices to pursue creative careers without worrying about financial hardship. Ahmed argues that economic stability is essential for a thriving and inclusive arts scene, and he’s actively working to improve conditions for everyone in the entertainment industry.

Olivia Colman

After gaining recognition for her roles in popular shows like ‘The Favourite’ and ‘The Crown’, Olivia Colman became a vocal supporter of providing a basic income for people working in the arts. She understands that the unpredictable nature of the profession often causes talented artists to leave too soon. Colman argues that a guaranteed income would help stabilize the arts, allowing future generations of creatives to flourish. Her stance mirrors a wider agreement among successful actors that the industry needs a more reliable financial system.

Bill Murray

I’ve been really intrigued by what Bill Murray has been saying about basic income. It seems like he believes it could make our social safety net much simpler and help everyone, not just those currently needing assistance. He’s talked about how it could ease financial worries and give people more freedom to pursue their passions, whether that’s work or art. It’s clear he wants to see a system that’s kinder and works better for all of us, and I think that’s a really important point. Plus, you can’t forget he’s the guy from ‘Ghostbusters’ – a legend!

Ashton Kutcher

Ashton Kutcher, known for his role in ‘That 70s Show,’ has been exploring the idea of universal basic income. As both an actor and a tech investor, he’s noticed how increasing automation could impact jobs. He believes providing a guaranteed minimum income could help people adjust to these changes and suggests we need to find solutions now to ensure everyone has financial stability in the future.

Share your thoughts on the potential impact of universal basic income for the arts in the comments.

2025-12-24 01:46