LOS ANGELES (AP) — The union representing tens of thousands of actors and other entertainment and media professionals has chosen Sean Astin as its new president.
On Friday, SAG-AFTRA elected Astin — known for his roles in “The Lord of the Rings,” “Stranger Things,” and “Rudy” — to succeed Fran Drescher. Astin is the son of the late Academy Award-winning actress Patty Duke and John Astin, famous for his role in the 1960s TV series “The Addams Family.”
Sean Astin defeated Chuck Slavin in a 79% to 21% vote. Michelle Hurd was elected secretary-treasurer.
Patty Duke, Sean Astin’s mother, served as the Screen Actors Guild’s president from 1985-1988.
SAG-AFTRA, as detailed on its website, unites the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, representing about 160,000 individuals, including actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, program hosts, and recording artists, among others.
During Drescher’s tenure, the union managed a couple of strikes involving film and television actors, alongside another strike concerning video game and interactive media performers.
