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Kerry Washington Helps Three Actors Secure Health Insurance in Kimmel Monologue

Washington ensured the actors made it over the threshold to qualify for SAG health insurance.
  • Just call her the health insurance fairy. While filling in for Jimmy Kimmel on Wednesday night, Kerry Washington recalled her time as a struggling actor who had to supplement her income with multiple jobs, including substitute teacher, yoga instructor, and restaurant hostess.

    "It meant a lot to me the first time that I qualified for that sweet Screen Actors Guild health insurance," said Washington.

    Washington explained that in order to qualify for SAG-AFTRA healthcare, actors must make a certain amount of money, which can be difficult when you're just starting out. To ease this burden, Washington invited three up-and-coming actors just shy of the coverage limit to say a few lines of dialogue on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, giving them a paid gig that would push them over the threshold to qualify for insurance.

    One actor was $40.87 away from qualifying, while another was $487.17 away. By reciting just one line of dialogue, the actors made enough money to qualify for SAG health insurance — a life-changing moment for everyone involved.

    Who says the late night shows are all doom and gloom?

    Jimmy Kimmel Live! airs weeknights at 11:35 PM ET on ABC.

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    Deena ElGenaidi's writing has been featured in Nylon, MTV News, Insider, The AV Club, and more. You can follow her on Twitter @deenaelg.

    TOPICS: Kerry Washington, ABC, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, SAG-AFTRA