Sean Astin Elected President of the SAG-AFTRA Union
According to CinemaDrame News Agency, Sean Astin, star of The Lord of the Rings films, was elected last Friday as president of the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). Astin, who played Samwise in Peter Jackson’s trilogy, will lead one of Hollywood’s most powerful unions with over 160,000 members, succeeding Fran Drescher, who guided the union through the strikes two years ago.
Astin takes office as the union prepares for negotiations next year with major Hollywood studios over artificial intelligence and the outsourcing of productions outside the United States.
The 54-year-old actor said: “I’m honored and determined. People say, ‘I hope you have time to celebrate.’ But celebrating feels like an external perception. I don’t feel like this is a moment for celebration. I think you say thank you and get to work.”
Astin defeated his opponent, independent film actor Chuck Slavin, with 79 percent of the vote. Slavin said that although the result was “disappointing,” he remains committed to pursuing “transparency and members’ rights.”
Astin had previously stated that in the new contract with studios he would defend members’ rights against artificial intelligence and negotiate with political leaders to ensure film and television productions are not outsourced from the United States. Astin’s mother, Academy Award winner Patty Duke, also had a history of serving as president of the actors’ union.
Voter turnout in this year’s election reached 17 percent, compared to 23 percent two years ago when Drescher was re-elected. Before the election, Drescher endorsed Astin, saying he was “eager to protect my legacy.”
Astin said last Friday: “It’s time for optimism. When a new president is elected, a new chapter begins and a fresh page is turned.”
