As Fran Drescher, the president of SAG-AFTRA leads the actors' strike, who is she?

It’s the biggest actors strike against the film and television industry since 1980 and the first time both actors and writers have gone on strike since 1960. The SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) will see the biggest stars in Hollywood go on strike as they demand better pay and increased safeguarding around AI rights.

After negotiations between the SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) failed. President Fran Drescher, 65, spoke out about the issues in a powerful speech, she said the “entire business model has been changed by streaming, digital, A.I.”

"This is a very big deal and it weighed heavy on us. At some point, you have to say no, we’re not going to take it anymore… We demand respect. You share the wealth, because you cannot exist without us."

Who is Fran Drescher?

She is best known for her role as Fran Fine in the CBS comedy ‘The Nanny’. She played a cosmetic saleswoman who after getting dumped and losing her job becomes a nanny to three children of a rich English widower. 

Fran created and produced the series which ran from 1993 - 1999 with her then husband Peter Marc Jacobson. The former couple met whilst studying at Hillcrest High School and married three years after graduating in 1978 and later divorced in 1999. 

She is an activist for the LGBTQ community as well as being president for the SAG-AFTRA.

How did Fran Drescher become president of the SAG-AFTRA?

In 2021 Fran ran for presidency of the SAG-AFTRA and her campaign prioritised “empowering and protecting members.”  She had huge support from many actors including Tom Hanks, Dan Akroyd, Deborah Messing and Alec Baldwin. 

She assumed the role in September 2021. The trade union represents approximately 160,000 film and television actors, journalists, and radio personalities.

Why did Fran Drescher have to defend herself over a selfie with Kim Kardashian?

Fran was recently criticised for taking a ‘selfie’ with Kim Kardashian. The president of the union recently headed of to Italy for the Dolce & Gabbana Alto Moda fashion show ahead of the strikes and was seen posing with the influencer. 

During a press conference Fran defended herself explaining “That wasn’t a selfie,” later adding “I’m a brand ambassador for a fashion company and so is Kim. I had only met Kim seconds before that publicity picture was taken.”