SAG-AFTRA Members Re-Elect Fran Drescher President and Joely Fisher Secretary-Treasurer

SAG-AFTRA members have re-elected two of the union’s top ranking officers, returning to office Fran Drescher as president and Joely Fisher as secretary-treasurer. Their two-year terms begin today.

Ballots for the national officers election were mailed to 124,477 eligible voters on August 9, 2023, and 28,430 were returned today, for a return of 22.84% percent. Fran Drescher received 23,080 votes, and Maya Gilbert-Dunbar received 5,276 votes.

In the election for secretary-treasurer, Joely Fisher was elected to the position with 19,777 votes, and Peter Antico received 8,361 votes.

To view the results, click here.

President Fran Drescher said, “I am honored to serve my union as president for another term. These are dynamic times and as one member body, we will weather the storms, stand on our principles and make sure our major contributions to this collaborative art form shall never again be diminished but rather be exalted. I want all members to be equal in all ways and I will continue to fight against marginalization and discrimination within our union, from our employers and the world at large. Our main objective as a labor union must be to make sure everyone has equal opportunity to work. Together, we will watch partisanship fade away as we develop a new culture of respect, patience and understanding. Taking our time, speaking from the heart and making decisions must be based on wisdom and not politics. Much has been accomplished in the past two years but I feel great optimism that the next two will be our greatest ever! As we let go of tribalism and gain more empathy for one another, as we realize that with each experience comes opportunity to better ourselves on our journey of self refinement, we will also enter a Golden Age for SAG-AFTRA.”

Secretary-Treasurer Joely Fisher said, “In these challenging times, performers do what they’ve always done best: work together towards a common goal. I’m grateful for your trust in my work on behalf of my union siblings and steadfast in my commitment to you. I want to acknowledge every member who recognized this auspicious moment and volunteered to serve. Your willingness to run for office and contribute is deeply appreciated by your union family. When we’re fighting against the entire show business establishment, the last thing we needed was to fight each other. I’m glad you all agree. I’m overwhelmed by your unprecedented support and promise that president Drescher and I will move forward with the same commitment to unity exhibited in this election process and — finally — a decent contract. President Drescher and I are so thrilled to work alongside all of you as we usher in a new age for SAG-AFTRA — where we are all respected and sufficiently paid for our contribution to this industry.”

SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland welcomed the officers saying, “I would like to congratulate all of our leaders elected today. I am excited to continue to work with President Drescher and Secretary-Treasurer Fisher. The staff and I are eager to work with all of the elected leaders nationwide on the many union initiatives and goals that will be served by their leadership."

PRESIDENT BIO
Fran Drescher was elected SAG-AFTRA president on September 2, 2021 and re-elected on September 8, 2023. She rose to international stardom for her portrayal of The Nanny, which she also co-created and executive produced. The multi-award-winning and nominated actress/comedienne founded the non-profit Cancer Schmancer to educate and empower people after she survived cancer. As an advocate, she has been responsible for unanimous passage of a bill in Congress, has made multiple trips to Capitol Hill to lobby for health issues, and was appointed Public Diplomacy Envoy for the U.S. State Department during the administrations of Presidents Bush ‘43 through Obama ‘44. She is grateful to have her rescue dog Angel Grace who rescued her during lockdown. 

SEC-TREASURER BIO
Joely Fisher was elected SAG-AFTRA secretary-treasurer on September 2, 2021 and re-elected on September 8, 2023. The daughter of former SAG secretary-treasurer Connie Stevens, Fisher continues her mother’s legacy of participating in the union’s national board. Born in Burbank, California, Fisher was named Miss Golden Globe at the 1992 Golden Globe awards. She is best known for her role as Paige Clark on the ABC sitcom Ellen and her tenure on the Fox sitcom ‘Til Death as Joy Stark. Fisher has also performed on Broadway in Grease and Cabaret. She has an extensive career in film and television. In late 2008, Fisher became an artist ambassador for Save the Children. Her memoir, Growing Up Fisher, published in 2017, recounts her coming-of-age as part of an iconic Hollywood dynasty.

To see all election results, visit sagaftra.org/2023elections

About SAG-AFTRA

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.