SAG-AFTRA Statement on the Passing of George Coe

SAG-AFTRA mourns the passing of longtime union activist and Oscar-nominee George Coe who died Saturday at the age of 86. Coe served on the Screen Actors Guild’s National Board of Directors for more than a dozen years, covering the period of 1967-1973 and again in the early 2000s.

“It is with heavy hearts that our SAG-AFTRA family says goodbye to George Coe,” said SAG-AFTRA President Ken Howard. “He was a stalwart unionist and a tremendous presence in our union for many years. He served his fellow actors and the labor movement with conviction and pride. Our deepest condolences go out to his family.”

While a National Board Member from the New York Division (1967-1973), Coe served as Vice President for two years and created the template for what became SAG’s first low budget production contract. He served as a member of SAG’s National Executive Committee and National Agents Relations Committee.

Because of his union service, the Screen Actors Guild Hollywood Division honored Coe with its prestigious Ralph Morgan Award in 2009. Following the merger of SAG-AFTRA, Coe was elected as a convention delegate to its inaugural convention in 2013. 

Coe’s acting career includes more than 50 years of film, television, commercial and stage work. Coe had a lengthy career as a commercial performer both on camera and voice over, including six years as the voice of Toyota. He was nominated for an Academy Award for the 1968 comedy short film “The Dove,” which he co-directed as well as starred in.