Jack Black donned the uniform of his Kung Fu Panda character – in other words, he was shirtless – to sing Taylor Swift’s “Anti-Hero” at a SAG-AFTRA fundraiser on 25 October.
In footage captured by fans and uploaded to X (formerly Twitter), Black can be seen on stage having just performed a stand-up comedy set at the “Give Back-ular Spectacular!” event at the Orpheum Theatre, which supports SAG-AFTRA members affected by the current strike. Other performers in attendance included Janelle James, Halle Berry, Lily Tomlin and Dax Shepard.
Black then takes off his shirt and throws it on the floor. Once down to his boxers, Black paces the stage, surveying the crowd as they clap and cheer. Black holds the microphone up to the crowd and asks if they have any requests. A member of the audience shouts out a song, to which Black replies, “I know that one. Yeah, I know that one. I can’t do that one. We’re on strike.
“But I know this one,” Black adds. “Everybody knows that fucking song.”
The School of Rock actor begins to belt out Taylor Swift’s Anti-Hero, singing “It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me”. He dances around the stage, even performing a kick or two, as he sings and poses for an enthusiastic audience. As the song progresses, Black’s performance becomes increasingly guttural. When it becomes clear that Black can’t remember the lyrics, he starts singing gibberish instead – still to the tune of “Anti-Hero”.
It was a light-hearted moment amid the seriousness of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strikes, which have had a significant negative impact on the economy since they began in July. The “Give Back-ular Spectacular!” raised emergency funds for both union and non-union crew members in need, as many crew members have gone without paychecks during the hiatus as tensions between SAG-AFTRA and the studios continue. The SAG-AFTRA strike has lasted 104 days, and the combined writers and actors strike has lasted nearly six months.
