Sean Astin Elected SAG-AFTRA President, Continuing a Legacy of Screen Leadership and Union Advocacy

Sean Astin, two-time Emmy winner and cast member of The Lord of the Rings, Rudy, and Stranger Things, has been elected the new SAG-AFTRA president, the union representing over 160,000 entertainment and media professionals. Astin succeeds Fran Drescher, who led the union through historic labor talks and strikes.

Astin, the son of actress Patty Duke, who won an Academy Award, and actor John Astin of The Addams Family television program, received a decisive 79% of the vote in defeating Chuck Slavin. Michelle Hurd was voted in as secretary-treasurer, completing the leadership group.

This is a high point for the union because Astin is the second member of his family to be its president—his mother led the Screen Actors Guild from 1985 to 1988. His election shows a continued commitment to activism, openness, and modernization of the entertainment industry.

SAG-AFTRA, which resulted from the union of the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, is a parent body that represents a wide variety of experts that include actors, announcers, dancers, DJs, and journalists. Under the leadership of Drescher, the union tackled grave issues of equal pay, human protection from AI, and working conditions for both traditional and digital media.

Astin's campaign emphasized unity, member engagement, and a forward-looking approach to industry concerns. His deep ties to Hollywood and personal experience with the work will guide the union through shifting ground in streaming, gaming, and interactive media.

As the industry keeps adapting, Astin's leadership will be poised to blend heritage with innovation, keeping performers' voices paramount in shaping the entertainment future.