The Irish actors and writers at the forefront of the Hollywood strikes 

As the billionaires of Hollywood retreat to their yachts, hard-pressed writers and actors are on the picket line under the searing sun, and Irish workers are at the forefront of the protest

Tens of thousands of Hollywood actors went on strike at midnight on July 13, effectively bringing the giant movie and television business to a halt as they join writers in the first industry-wide walkout for 63 years. Photo: Michael Tran / AFP via Getty Images

There was a moment on the picket line outside Paramount studios in LA last week when strikers had to part to allow someone into the studios. While the scene remained civilised, it didn’t sit well with the Irish picketers. 

“A few of the guys were saying ‘No, I want to lie down right there. I want to have them drive over me’,” says Irish actor and strike organiser Alan Smyth. “There’s a real edge to Irish picketers. I think it might escalate to becoming a bit more disruptive, there must be something in our DNA where we’re just willing to step up and push a bit,” he tells the Irish Examiner from his home in LA.