Arnold Schwarzenegger Was 'More Than Happy' to Give $1M to Actors’ Fund During Strike: 'I Didn't Think Twice'

The actor said he is "more than happy to give some of [his money] away for very important causes"

Arnold Schwarzenegger was glad to support fellow actors in need during the ongoing strike.

The Terminator actor was among a group of celebrities who donated $1 million each to SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Emergency Financial Assistance Program in August, helping the "journeymen actors facing tremendous economic hardship" during the strike.

Speaking to Town & Country magazine for its 10th annual Philanthropy Issue, Schwarzenegger, 76, said contributing to the SAG-AFTRA cause was a no-brainer.

"As soon as you recognize that you are not self-made, you realize that you have to give something back. And when you recognize how good it feels to actually do something for someone else, it gets in your blood," he said.

Related: Arnold Schwarzenegger Opens Up About Life, Family and Work Now: 'I Feel Good Where I Am' (Exclusive)

Schwarzenegger recalled working with the Special Olympics back in the '70s and said he "found great joy in giving something back and helping other people," prompting him to commit to other philanthropic efforts over the years.

"I have made millions of dollars in America. So when you talk about giving a million dollars to SAG for the poor people that are now suffering because of the strike, I didn’t think twice," he said.

Added the Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life author, "I earned the money that I have because of America, so I’m more than happy to give some of it away for very important causes."

According to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, other famous donors giving $1 million each with Schwarzenegger were Matt Damon, George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck, Julia Roberts, Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep, Dwayne Johnson, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman and more.

Streep said in a statement at the time, "I remember my days as a waiter, cleaner, typist, even my time on the unemployment line. In this strike action, I am lucky to be able to support those who will struggle in a long action to sustain against Goliath."

"We will stand strong together against these powerful corporations who are bent on taking the humanity, the human dignity, even the human out of our profession," she added. "I am proudest of my fellow actors who have immediately offered to fund the Emergency Financial Assistance Program."

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

SAG-AFTRA's strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) began July 14. They had further bargaining meetings with the studios this week (with one major sticking point about artificial intelligence in filmmaking) as the strike continues.

During the strike, actors cannot film movie or television projects or promote them, unless the project receives an interim agreement to do so.

The Writers Guild of America's strike ended in late September after 148 days.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.