Who is the current SAG-AFTRA President? Details explored as Sean Astin to reportedly run for the position

Actor Sean Astin to reportedly run for the position of SAG-AFTRA President.

In an exclusive with The Hollywood Reporter, the ‘Lord of the Rings’ star Sean Astin reveals his intention to run for the position of SAG-AFTRA President, a position once coveted by his mother for three years. Patty Duke is known for her roles in Valley of the Dolls and The Miracle Worker. She then became the second-ever woman to lead the Screen Actors Guild as president, and now her son is on the path to follow in her legacy.

Astin has garnered experience over the years with his work on national and L.A. Local boards and five separate negotiating committees. Besides, he is also a member of SAG-AFTRA National and LA local boards, and a National convention delegate.

In the interview with the magazine, he expressed,

“It feels like this moment is a culmination of all of that work. The time feels like it’s absolutely right, and I’m excited to do it.”

On Friday, it was confirmed that Astin submitted a bid to lead the 160,000-member organization along with him, his ticket includes Michelle Hurd for secretary-treasurer, David Jolliffe to return for second vice president, Lisa Ann Walter for first vice president of the Local Board, and Joely Fisher for president of the Los Angeles Local Board.

Their main focus will be on stronger contracts, healthcare reforms, AI protections, safe working conditions, and more. Astin said.

“We are a huge union with a lot of constituencies that are entitled to and deserve and in fact require fierce advocacy,” he added.

SAG-AFTRA Elections

Actress Fran Drescher is the current president of the association. However, it is unclear whether she plans to run again to maintain her presidency, as she could not be reached for a comment.

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However, whoever takes over the administration will have their job cut out from the get-go. The organisation is set to return to the negotiating table with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, making it the first contract negotiation cycle after the 2023 strike. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers bargains on behalf of the major Hollywood studios, and the negotiations are regarding the global production contraction and how the industry has been hit by it, resulting in far less work.

The complete list of SAG-AFTRA political candidates is likely to be published next week, while the election ballots will be collected between August 13 and September 12.

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