Major Hollywood entertainment companies are donating tens of millions of dollars to nonprofit groups that have mobilized relief efforts to help victims of the wildfires that have destroyed communities.
Walt Disney Co. has committed $15 million to relief and recovery efforts in the wake of the devastating wildfires in Southern California. Warner Bros. Discovery said Monday it also would contribute $15 million to disaster recovery efforts.
Comcast and Netflix separately said they would each donate $10 million to groups supporting recovery efforts.
The big entertainment companies, all combined, plan to steer more than $65 million to the relief efforts.
Burbank-based Disney on Friday said it would distribute the money to several organizations, including the American Red Cross, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, that were dedicated to helping victims of the deadly Palisades and Eaton fires that have ripped through neighborhoods, destroying homes and businesses.
Firefighters have battled smaller blazes that have ignited and quickly spread by strong winds.
The economic toll of this week’s wildfires is expected to surpass $50 billion.
“As this tragedy continues to unfold, The Walt Disney Co. is committed to supporting our community and our employees as we all work together to recover and rebuild from this unbelievable devastation,” Chief Executive Bob Iger said in a statement. “We are proud to provide assistance to this resilient and vibrant community in this moment of need.”
Disney has been “working around the clock to ensure the safety and well-being of our employees, many of whom have been impacted by these fires,” the company said in a statement that also pledged to set aside further resources for its employee relief fund.
Other entertainment companies and organizations also offered monetary assistance.
Philadelphia cable giant Comcast — which owns the Universal Studios theme park and the Universal Pictures film studio, said Monday it would donate $10 million to support disaster relief and recovery efforts. That includes $2.5 million to the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles’ ReBUILD LA initiative.
Comcast said it would also make cash contributions to nonprofits including American Red Cross, Entertainment Industry Foundation SoCal Fire Fund, Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles.
Netflix said it would donate $10 million to various groups including Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, California Community Fund Wildfire Recovery Fund, World Central Kitchen, Motion Picture and Television Fund and Entertainment Community Fund. The Los Gatos-based streamer, which also boasts a Sunset Boulevard address, also is directly assisting employees who have lost their homes.
Amazon MGM Studios, Prime Video and other Amazon business units on Monday pledged $10 million to relief efforts.
Tokyo-based Sony Corp., which has a large presence in Culver City, said it would contribute $5 million to relief organizations that support first responders, community relief and rebuilding and employee assistance programs.
New York-based Paramount Global — which owns CBS, MTV, Comedy Central and the Paramount movie studio in Los Angeles— said Friday it would donate $1 million to a handful of organizations, including Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, California Fire Foundation, World Central Kitchen and Best Friends Animal Society. All have been assisting with firefighting and relief efforts.
“As major wildfires continue to erupt across parts of Los Angeles — causing massive devastation to families, homes and communities — our hearts are with everyone affected by this tragedy,” Chief Executives George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy and Brian Robbins said in a Friday memo to staff. “And we remain committed to supporting our employees who have been impacted during this incredibly difficult time.”
On Saturday, SAG-AFTRA said it would donate $1 million to its nonprofit SAG-AFTRA Foundation to help members who have been affected by the fires. The union and its foundation have previously provided assistance to members after natural disasters such as Superstorm Sandy.
“We hope this pledge helps relieve suffering and assists those impacted in putting their lives back together after this calamity,” SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher said in a statement. “I have personally been affected by the fires and I feel deeply for others who are experiencing this tragedy.”
Times staff writer Samantha Masunaga contributed to this report.