People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) live-streamed the stunt, which saw Cromwell peel his hand off the counter after about 30 minutes.
“There’s no reason for it except greed,” Cromwell says in the video. “Will you stop charging more for vegan milk? When will you stop raking in huge profits while customers, animals and the environment suffer?”
Plant-based milk upcharges have received critical attention in recent weeks, but Starbucks maintains such alternatives often cost more than cow milk. “This is similar to other beverage customizations, such as an additional espresso shot or syrup, and the pricing varies market by market,” Starbucks tells NBC News.
Cromwell’s filmography includes Babe, American Horror Story: Asylum, Succession, and The Green Mile.