SAG-AFTRA and the Nevada Local Mourn the Passing of Art Lynch

SAG-AFTRA and the Nevada Local Board mourn the passing of Art Lynch, actor, acting coach, educator and union activist. Art passed away on August 7. He was 63.  

In 1987, Art joined SAG-AFTRA and since 1996 he has served multiple terms on the National Board. He has also been a committee member and/or committee chair on numerous national and local committees whose reach spans across various mediums, demographics and constituencies.

Art was born in Chicago, Illinois August 7, 1955. He was raised in Oak Park and went to Oak Park River Forest High School, where he participated in both theater and journalism activities. These two interests remained his focus in much of his professional and personal life. He went to the University of Illinois, Chicago where he continued theater and journalism (broadcast) activities. He worked for the campus radio station, where he did feature programs. While in college, he received training in Second City’s student program. After college, he had an opportunity to go to Hollywood through a personal connection to pursue a film career but instead chose broadcast journalism. Although this led to broadcast journalism and production stints around the country, he continued to work in theater in every place he landed, including Wyoming, California and Nevada. 

His acting interests led to film work. He also developed a desire to teach and help others, a natural outgrowth of theater/film work and journalism. Art went on to pursue and obtain a Masters in Communication and PhD in Education. For many years, he taught college courses and eventually opened his own acting studio. 
  
Art’s need to help others is deeply rooted in his Chicago upbringing. Many of his family members worked for the fire and police departments. Through them, he witnessed the power of unions as a source of change, community and belonging. SAG-AFTRA and its members are fortunate to have had such a champion who believed that no matter the circumstance (local theatre, media projects or national politics) people should come together collaboratively and selflessly to make a difference.