We Mourn the Passing of Robert Blanche

Dear Member, 
It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you of the passing of former Portland Local President, Local Board member, and my friend Robert Blanche on Jan. 3. 

As an actor, some of Robert’s body of work included appearances in Portlandia, Grimm, Leverage and Men of Honor. As anyone who knew him can attest, Robert was a man of honor. He loved his family, friends, and deeply believed in fairness and justice for all actors and broadcasters — so much so that he was willing to devote significant amounts of time to union service for the benefit of his fellow members and he never stopped fighting. Robert joined the union in 1995 and served as SAG Branch president pre-merger and SAG-AFTRA Local president from 2017–2019. In addition to his work locally, he served as vice chair of the National SAGindie Committee from 2007 to 2008 and, since 1996, he also served as either a member or alternate of the TV/Theatrical, Low Budget and Agency committees.

That long record of service has had a profound impact on the lives of fellow SAG-AFTRA members, both directly and indirectly. My condolences to his family, friends, and all his union comrades who have suffered this loss. He will be deeply missed. 

In unity,

Michelle Damis
Portland Local President