When the leaders of Hollywood’s actors union announced a strike this week, the most fiery words spoken came from SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher, who drew thunderous applause when she criticized movie studios executives for their unreasonable and insulting demands.
Drescher, 65, has decades of Hollywood experience as an actor, writer, and producer. She got her start in movies in the 1970s and has worked on numerous series. Here’s what you need to know about this actor and labor leader.
Where is Fran Drescher from?
Drescher was born in Queens, New York, in 1957. She attended Queens’ Hillcrest High School and graduated in 1975. During high school, she met Peter Marc Jacobson, who later became her husband and collaborator on many creative projects.
Drescher’s breakout role came in the 1990s sitcom “The Nanny,” which she co-created with Jacobson. She played the vivacious title character, Fran Fine, and the show ran for six seasons, earning her two Emmy and two Golden Globe nominations.
After her time on “The Nanny,” Drescher appeared in various TV shows, including “Happily Divorced” and “Living with Fran.” She also provided the voice for Eunice in the “Hotel Transylvania” animated films.
New career as an activist
Since around 2017, Drescher has become increasingly vocal online, expressing her views on big business, oil drilling, pharmaceutical companies, and the “ruling class.” In a 2017 interview, she described herself as “anti-capitalist” and actively campaigned against actor Matthew Modine to become SAG’s president in 2021.
As SAG-AFTRA President, Drescher has worked to address division within the union and has shown support for the Writers Guild of America, even joining them on picket lines during their strike in May. She has been a leading voice in advocating for fair treatment of actors and other essential contributors in the industry.
Drescher’s powerful words during the strike’s announcement called for fair treatment and a more equitable sharing of wealth in the industry. As an actor and labor leader, she continues to fight for the rights and well-being of those in the entertainment field.
Some CBS News staff are SAG-AFTRA members. But they work under a different contract than the actors and are not affected by the strike.
