Can you believe it’s been two years since the Hollywood strikes? In some ways time flies by, while in others it feels like we’re in an arduously slow crawl to our ultimate doom as the world burns down around us. And speaking of elections having consequences, it’s an election year for SAG-AFTRA leadership. Fran Drescher has been president of the acting union since 2021. Her tenure included the aforementioned 118-day strike, during which Fran was a tireless advocate for SAG-AFTRA’s 160,000 members. But word on the street is that Fran is opting out of another term — though as of this writing she hasn’t weighed in herself — which has left a hobbit-sized window for someone else to slip in. Sean Astin has officially announced his candidacy for president of SAG-AFTRA, and he’s coming in with a fellowship of nominees for related offices. I’ve got the perfect campaign slogan for Sean: “Bread and roses, and PO–TAY–TOES!”
Like his mother before him: In 1985, Valley of the Dolls and The Miracle Worker actress Patty Duke became the second-ever woman to lead the Screen Actors Guild as president, a position she filled for three years. Now, decades later, her son Sean Astin is seeking to follow in her footsteps. The actor, perhaps best known for his role as the loyal hobbit hero Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings, is running for president of the current iteration of the film and TV actors’ union, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
His non-acting resume: In an interview, Astin pointed to his years on national and L.A. Local boards and on five separate negotiating committees as key preparatory steps for the top job at SAG-AFTRA. “It feels like this moment is a culmination of all that work,” he said. “The time feels like it’s absolutely right and I’m excited to do it.”
The Coalition 2025: Astin is running alongside Blindspot and Star Trek: Picard actor Michelle Hurd, who is seeking the position of secretary-treasurer. The union’s current secretary-treasurer, Joely Fisher (Ellen, The Mask), will turn her attention to running for president of the Los Angeles Local Board alongside Abbott Elementary star Lisa Ann Walter, who will run as the Local’s first vice president, and David Jolliffe (ParaNorman), who will again run for second vice president. Their combined political slate is called “The Coalition 2025.” Fisher points to the downturn in local Los Angeles production, especially since the 2023 strikes, as the impetus for her to run as president of its Local. “I am turning my national focus to my hometown,” she said, adding that she wants to make this “the golden age of Hollywood.”
Campaign issues: Their slate will focus on strong contracts, healthcare reforms, AI protections, stronger residuals, safe working conditions and paying attention to the unique needs of the union’s 25 Locals, 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.
A big 2026 lies ahead for the new leadership: Next year, the union will return to the negotiating table with studios and streamers for the first time since its 2023 strike in a challenged position, with a contraction in the business having squeezed employment opportunities for its 160,000-odd members. The union will need to revisit the AI protections in its contract after three years of technological advances and wage the continuous battle of securing its health and pension plans.
Of course, another nepo baby swooping in! No, I kid Sean. He seems like a good egg. Obviously he’s been in several cultural touchstones — The Goonies, Lord of the Rings, Stranger Things — but he’s still mainly a jobbing actor, albeit a very lucky one, as opposed to a megastar. I mean, we all know the LOTR cast was underpaid (and yet Peter Jackson has $15 million to throw at resurrecting an extinct dino-sized bird, huh). Maybe that will give Sean extra incentive when facing off with the AMPTP orcs at next year’s renegotiations, should Sean win the vote. The final deadline for union members to submit their ballot is September 12, so we’ll know fairly soon. Though hopefully we’ll know even sooner if Fran Drescher really has bowed out of the race. The woman helped me score an A in geometry (I always had The Nanny reruns on while doing homework solving theorems, surely the viewing was critical to my lone success in the mathematical arts), so I’d like the official word before breaking ranks! And don’t worry: SAG-AFTRA’s National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator, the phenomenally-named Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, is safely in his seat through 2028.
Lastly, I’m not in politics, so could someone please tell me if it’s typical to have a position of “second vice president?”
Sean is shown at the Love Hurts premiere with his daughters Elizabeth and Ali and with his Goonies co-stars to support Ke Huy Quan. Photos credit: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Avalon and Getty
I had no idea that Patty Duke was his mother. It would be nice to see him follow in his mother’s footsteps if he assumes the role.
“Second vice president” isn’t necessarily a political thing. It’s just a title within a hierarchy. Banks have all kinds of vice presidents – executive vp, senior vp, associate vp, assistant vp – we had the same in my company and in some non-profits I worked with. Depending on how the organization is structured, the Second VP will report to the First VP, take over for them sometimes and also have specific responsibilities.
Sean Astin is a fantastic actor, and when he shows up as a guest he blows everyone out of the water. I didn’t know he was Patty Duke’s son! It’s great that he’s following in her footsteps. She was a fierce advocate for mental health later in life. I think Sean would be great in that role.
I like Sean. He seems like he’d be a good pick for this role. In this case, growing up around the business could be a plus. Melissa Gilbert was a child actor/star and she did it at one point.
Sean seems like a genuinely nice guy and a good pick considering he’s spent his entire life from birth around Hollywood. I wonder if it’s just that he’s been lucky or if he has a sense when something is going to be a cultural moment. 80s Goonies, 90s Rudy, 00’s LOTR and 10’s/20’s Stranger Things.
My personal favorite: Encinco Man in the 90s. You may laugh but that is such a 90s classic and peak Brendan Fraser.
I came here just to shout out my undying love for Encino Man! I’ve probably watched it 20 times. Pauly Shore: “weee eeez the juuuuu uuuuice!”
Wasn’t he known as Sean Astin Green at one point? I remember there were questions about who his father was, but none of them were named Green. Maybe I’m misremembering. Or confusing him with someone else.
I do remember being disappointed that John Astin wasn’t his father. I thought it would be fun to have Gomez Addams as a father. LOL
Think you’re bring Brian Austin Green into the mix! There was a great deal of uncertainty around his parentage for a lot of his life (Mamma Mia situation where three guys were possible, and they didn’t know who it really was so he just developed relationships with all three), but it looks like he’s been Sean Astin since he was about 3 years old.
I didn’t know he was Patty Duke was his mother – but look at that smile! – HIs mother right there.
Second Vice President is pretty common in administrative boards and is often a training ground for future presidents.
Sean is a no for SAG president. He said about actors being AI generated during the negotiations, “it’s great, you can just sit home and not work and get paid”. 🙄 he had to be reminded that actors want to work.
I was college classmates with Duncan and his husband – they are both wonderful people! (and their last name is a combo of both their last names)