This 'Lord Of The Rings' Star Was Just Elected President Of A Major Labor Union
LOADINGERROR LOADINGLOS ANGELES (AP) — The union that represents tens of thousands of actors and other entertainment and media professionals has elected Sean Astin as its new president.On Friday, SAG-AFTRA elected Astin — an actor who appeared in “The Lord of the Rings,” “Stranger Things” and “Rudy” — to succeed Fran Drescher as its president.Astin is the son of the late Academy Award-winning actress Patty Duke and John Astin, who starred in the 1960s TV series “The Addams Family.”Advertisement Sean Astin defeated Chuck Slavin in a 79% to 21% vote.
Michelle Hurd was elected secretary-treasurer.Sean Astin of "Little Lorraine" poses in the Getty Images Portrait Studio Presented by IMDb and IMDbPro during the Toronto International Film Festival at InterContinental Toronto Centre on September 05, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario.Gareth Cattermole via Getty ImagesPatty Duke, Sean Astin’s mother, served as the Screen Actors Guild’s president from 1985-1988.According to its website, SAG-AFTRA brings together Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.It represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, program hosts, recording artists and others.Advertisement Under Drescher, the union has navigated a pair of strikes involving film and television actors and a separate one involving video game and interactive media performers.
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