Sean Astin, acclaimed for his roles in "Rudy," "Goonies," and "The Lord of the Rings," has been elected president of SAG-AFTRA, taking over from Fran Drescher. Astin, who ran as part of "The Coalition"—a unity ticket that included members from historically rival union factions as well as unaffiliated individuals—secured a decisive victory. He defeated Chuck Slavin, a member of the union's New England local board who ran a dissident campaign, by a significant margin, capturing 79% of the vote compared to Slavin's 21%. Michelle Hurd, also part of the Coalition slate, was elected as secretary-treasurer.

Following his election, Astin expressed optimism for the future of the union. "Now is a time for optimism and creativity," Astin stated. "I am thrilled that the members have allowed me to lead our storied organization out of this challenging moment and into a future defined by confidence, progress and fierce advocacy." Slavin, while acknowledging the outcome as "disappointing," attributed his loss to a powerful political machine representing the "Hollywood elite." Notably, Astin steps into a role once held by his late mother, Patty Duke, who served as president of the Screen Actors Guild, the predecessor union, from 1985-1988.

Astin has been deeply engaged in SAG-AFTRA politics for the past six years, prominently serving on the negotiating committee during the four-month actors' strike in 2023. He became particularly involved during the pandemic, dedicating numerous hours to Zoom committee meetings. He emphasized his focus on operational details, stating, "I'm really focused on details and the mechanics of the process. I think it'll be a good moment for someone like me to be in this role." In other union leadership news, Joely Fisher, who served as secretary-treasurer for the last four years, was elected president of the Los Angeles local.

Fran Drescher, who completed four years as president, was lauded for her leadership, especially during the 2023 negotiations and her prominent presence on the picket lines. During her tenure, Drescher successfully worked to mitigate internal feuding between the longstanding rival slates, Unite for Strength and Membership First. Astin praised her efforts, noting, "She came in and was not going to tolerate rehashing old debates. My job is to extend that."

A significant part of Drescher's legacy, the "Success Bonus Distribution Fund," is nearing finalization. This fund, which Drescher championed during negotiations, is designed to distribute residuals more broadly to performers on streaming shows than standard residuals typically allow. In a memo to members, the union announced that stand-ins, stunt riggers, and background actors will be eligible, provided they have a significant connection to the most successful shows on streaming platforms. The scope of qualifying productions has also been expanded, with further details expected in the coming weeks regarding the amount of money to be distributed. Drescher commented on this achievement, stating, "This is the last puzzle piece from the 2023 TV/Theatrical/Streaming contract. I appreciate the streaming channels and AMPTP who leaned towards us and made a fair deal. This historic triumph marks the end of my tenure."

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) congratulated Astin on his victory, expressing eagerness to collaborate with him to address key issues for performers and promote industry stability. The union is scheduled to resume negotiations with the AMPTP in 2026. Astin articulated his approach to future negotiations, stating, "I personally would approach any negotiation with an open mind and an open heart, but also with absolute resolve that our dignity and our legitimate needs be understood."