In 1985, actress Patty Duke, known for her roles in ‘Valley of the Dolls’ and ‘The Miracle Worker’, took over as the second female president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), serving for a term of three years.
Decades after her time, Sean Astin, her son, is aiming to tread a similar path. Known primarily for his portrayal of the steadfast hobbit hero Samwise Gamgee in “The Lord of the Rings,” Astin is currently vying for the presidency of the modern-day actors’ union in film and TV, The Hollywood Reporter has revealed.
During an interview, Astin emphasized his past experiences on national and L.A. local boards, as well as serving on five different negotiation teams, as crucial stepping stones towards his current position at SAG-AFTRA. “It seems like this opportunity marks the culmination of all that effort,” he stated. “I feel that the timing couldn’t be more perfect, and I’m thrilled to take on the task.”
The original text has been rewritten using different words and sentence structures while maintaining the same meaning.)
As a gamer, I’ve been following the news about our union president, Fran Drescher, who’s been leading us since 2021. She navigated the organization through the beginning of the generative AI era and that tough 118-day strike in 2023 like a pro. Rumors are swirling that she won’t run for reelection, but I haven’t heard directly from her yet.
As a passionate gamer, I’m dashing side by side with Michelle Hurd, star of Blindspot and Star Trek: Picard, who’s aiming for the secretary-treasurer role. The current secretary-treasurer, Joely Fisher (known for her roles in Ellen and The Mask), is gearing up to run for president of the Los Angeles Local Board. She’ll be joined by Lisa Ann Walter from Abbott Elementary, who plans to run as the first vice president, and David Jolliffe (renowned for ParaNorman) who’s running again for second vice president. Together, they call their political team “The Coalition 2025.
Fisher highlights the decline in local Los Angeles production, particularly since the 2023 strikes, as the motivation behind her decision to seek presidency of its Local. “I am shifting my attention to my home city,” she stated, emphasizing her goal to transform it into a “golden era for Hollywood.
In her declaration of candidacy, the prospective secretary-treasurer, Hurd, expressed her intention to run because “every member should be informed about how our union’s funds are being managed, and have faith that these resources are being utilized prudently.
In simpler terms, their agenda will emphasize robust agreements, healthcare improvements, safeguarding AI usage, enhancing benefits, ensuring safe work environments, and addressing the distinct requirements of their 25 local branches. Astin stated, “We are a large union with numerous groups that are entitled to, deserve, and indeed require vigorous representation.
The final lineup of possible competitors hasn’t been determined yet, because candidates still have until 5 p.m. on Friday to hand in their nomination papers. However, it is certain that Chuck Slavin, a member of the SAG-AFTRA New England Local board, is vying for the presidency with Peter Antico as his secretary-treasurer candidate. They are running on a platform that emphasizes transparency for members and reforms to the union’s health plan.
The individual who emerges victorious in the forthcoming election will find themselves confronted with an urgent trial of leadership. In the year ahead, the union will find itself in a vulnerable position as it resumes negotiations with studios and streamers for the first time since its 2023 strike. This has been due to a contraction in the industry that has diminished job prospects for its approximately 160,000 members. The union must reconsider the AI safeguards outlined in their contract, given the advancements in technology over the past three years. Additionally, they will continue their struggle to maintain and improve health and pension plans.
The upcoming SAG-AFTRA leaders may find themselves grappling with the challenge of runaway production. After California lawmakers revamped the state’s tax credit program and Governor Gavin Newsom provided additional funding, there is growing focus on an initiative to introduce federal film and TV tax incentive laws in Washington D.C. Given its influence and political connections, it’s likely that the actors’ union will play a significant role in this battle.
Next week, we’ll unveil the complete roster of political candidates endorsed by SAG-AFTRA. Voting ballots can be submitted from August 13 to September 12.
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2025-07-12 01:54