Actor Sean Astin has officially entered the race to become the next president of SAG-AFTRA, the union representing 160,000 performers in film, television, and other media. The Lord of the Rings star is seeking to succeed current president Fran Drescher, though it remains unclear whether she plans to run for re-election.
Astin’s campaign was confirmed Friday, along with his slate of running mates: Michelle Hurd for secretary-treasurer, Joely Fisher for president of the Los Angeles Local Board, Lisa Ann Walter for first vice president of the Local Board, and David Jolliffe for second vice president.
If elected, Astin would continue a family legacy. His mother, Oscar-winning actress Patty Duke, served as president of the former Screen Actors Guild from 1985 to 1988, becoming the second woman to hold the post.
Astin brings significant union experience to the role. He has served on five different SAG-AFTRA negotiating committees, including the team that secured a new contract after the union’s record-breaking 118-day strike in 2023. He currently sits on both the SAG-AFTRA National and Los Angeles Local Boards and is a national convention delegate.
The next union leader will face a challenging environment, with another round of negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) on the horizon. This will be the first bargaining cycle since the 2023 strike, in an industry still recovering from a slowdown in global production. Key issues are expected to include protections around the use of artificial intelligence.
Candidates had until 5 p.m. Friday to submit their nominating petitions. A full list of nominees is expected next week. Voting will take place from August 13 to September 12.
