Fran Drescher

Fran Drescher has always been a beloved figure in Hollywood known best for her work in film and television, most notably for playing Fran Fine in The Nanny. However, in 2023, Drescher became the face of a movement as she was faced with the daunting task of navigating SAG-AFTRA through what would become the SAG-AFTRA 's longest strike as acting SAG-AFTRA president. Over the course of the 118-day strike, Drescher was imperative in fighting for the SAG-AFTRA guild members across the U.S., showing unwavering determination in her effort to reach a deal that would protect the livelihoods of guild members. Drescher did not back down when AMPTP supporters leveraged smear tactics in efforts to undermine her in the media, instead rising like a Phoenix, emerging stronger and more determined in her fight for a fair deal for the thousands of actors within SAG-AFTRA. Drescher inspired thousands of actors across the U.S. to continue their fight for a fair deal including added protections for artists against AI and increased pay, leading the charge and joining her SAG-AFTRA members on the frontlines in pickets. These efforts extended beyond SAG-AFTRA members as well as allies across other unions and industries, and even the fans at home rallied behind Drescher and SAG-AFTRA to amplify their voice in a sign of unity that reminded us all how much we can achieve when we come together and let our voices be heard.

Without a doubt, Drescher's crowning achievement in 2023 was her role in helping SAG-AFTRA reach a new deal after the record-breaking strike. After 118 days of negotiating, Drescher helped close a deal with AMPTP that secured SAG-AFTRA members a new mechanism for streaming compensation, increases to actors' minimum pay, and put guardrails around the use of AI to help protect its members.

When we look back on the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, Fran Drescher will be remembered as the face of the actors' union. While the strike might fade from our memories as Hollywood regains its semblance of normality, we will never forget Drescher's many impassioned speeches and the way in which she stood up against AMPTP studio heads in her fight for a fair deal. When they went low, she went high. It would have been easy to cave to the studios as the strike waged on, but Drescher never gave up on her hope of securing a deal that would protect SAG-AFTRA members for years to come and ensure their fair pay and treatment in the changing landscape of Hollywood.