Los Angeles (October 4, 2006) – The Hollywood Board of Screen Actors Guild (SAG) yesterday elected Kent McCord as the union’s 1st national vice president. McCord, whose term will run for one year, replaces Anne-Marie Johnson, who had served two one-year terms in that role and remains a national board member until 2009.
“From the time I was first elected to the national board in 1972, I have fought to keep our union open, inclusive and prepared for the future,” McCord said. “I am honored to once again serve as the 1st national vice president of the Screen Actors Guild. Today, more than at any time in the 73-year history of our union, we are witnessing technological changes that will forever alter the way our members’ work is distributed and exhibited to audiences throughout the world. I am eager to participate with President Alan Rosenberg, the board and all of our members here in Hollywood and throughout the country, to ensure that we remain prepared to protect and improve our members’ wages and working conditions in this rapidly expanding entertainment industry.”
An accomplished performer who got his first acting job on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, McCord starred on the hit TV series Adam-12 and has made numerous appearances on television and film. He became a national board member in 1972 and has served several terms since. He was elected 1st national vice president in 1979 and 1981 (both two-year terms) and served as the Guild’s national treasurer in 2001. McCord has chaired many different Guild committees and was awarded the 1999 Ralph Morgan Award, which honors a Guild member for his or her devotion to the cause of actors.
“While I am personally disheartened that Anne-Marie Johnson was not elected to continue her service as Hollywood’s national vice president, she will remain on the national board and as my senior advisor, and help continue the unification of Screen Actors Guild,” said Guild President Alan Rosenberg. “We have worked very hard over the past year along with leaders from all over the country to heal our Guild, stop the infighting, and to prepare for contract negotiations in 2008. Our progress will continue. I am honored to have Anne-Marie’s friendship, expert counsel and her extraordinary insight as a working actor.
“Kent McCord will now chair the Hollywood Division and bring his own career perspective and life experience to this important role. Kent represents the challenges and struggles shared by many members in Hollywood, and it’s important that every sector of Screen Actors Guild has a voice in the boardroom.”
Hollywood Executive Director Ilyanne Morden Kichaven said: “Kent McCord’s formidable service and diverse experience continually improve the lives of working actors. I’ve worked closely with Kent on a variety of critical issues during the past six years and look forward to seeing him achieve his goals for the Hollywood Division, while advancing the interests of the entire Guild.”
In other SAG vice presidential elections, the New York Division will elect the 2nd national vice president at its next board meeting October 10, while the Regional Branch Division will elect the 3rd national vice president at its next two-day board meeting October 19-20. Paul Christie is the Guild’s current 2nd national vice president. Steve Fried is the Guild’s 3rd national vice president.
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