The stage underwent a transformation, as did the ambiance. However, one thing remained unmistakable: the voice. Fran Drescher, known for her distinct nasal Queens accent, rose to fame in Hollywood for her leading role in the sitcom “The Nanny.” On Thursday, she stood before a multitude of cameras as the president of the actors’ union, which had unanimously voted to go on strike earlier in the day. With passion and fervor, she delivered a compelling argument that highlighted the significance of their decision.
Ms. Drescher asserted, “The world, especially the labor community, is watching us. What happens to us is consequential. The challenges we face are prevalent across all fields of labor.” With clenched fists, she expressed her indignation, exclaiming, “I am appalled by the way our business associates have treated us! It is reprehensible. They should be ashamed!”
A familiar face, Fran Drescher joins the ranks of other notable personalities such as Ronald Reagan, Patty Duke, and Charlton Heston, who have led SAG-AFTRA, the union representing tens of thousands of screen actors. This unexpected turn of events in her longstanding career places her at the forefront of a resurging labor movement on a national scale. How she navigates the coming weeks and potentially months may significantly impact the fate of 160,000 actors.
The actors’ strike, set to commence on Friday, presents a critical moment for Hollywood. In recent years, the industry has already weathered the storm of the pandemic and witnessed sweeping technological changes, including the emergence of streaming services and the decline of cable television and box office returns. With writers in the midst of a prolonged strike and now joined by actors, an occurrence not seen since 1960, the industry is on the brink of a standstill.
Throughout her career in Hollywood, which spans decades and encompasses both television and film, Ms. Drescher has consistently voiced concerns about corporate greed. Her social media posts often feature slogans like “STOP CAPITALIST GREED NOW.” New York Magazine even deemed her an “Anti-Capitalist Icon” in a headline from 2017.
In 2021, Fran Drescher won a highly contested race against actor Matthew Modine to secure the guild presidency. Representing different factions within the union – Ms. Drescher for the established Unite for Strength Party, and Mr. Modine for the upstart group Membership First – the race grew increasingly acrimonious. Mr. Modine accused Ms. Drescher of spreading lies about him, and reportedly expressed disappointment, saying, “I’m ashamed of Fran Drescher. I’m disappointed. But her legacy will be judged by the world or the deity she worships.”
Unlike screenwriters, who have a history of striking and maintaining unity, actors have been known for their internal conflicts. While Hollywood had anticipated a writer’s strike since the beginning of the year, few senior executives and producers expected that actors would follow suit with such determination.
Ms. Drescher assumed office with a commitment to unity within the union and resolving the “dysfunctional division.” The authorization for the strike received an astounding 97.9% of the vote, surpassing the significant authorization granted by the writers. Last month, Membership First, the opposition party, endorsed Ms. Drescher for re-election.
Nevertheless, some of Ms. Drescher’s recent public statements and actions have baffled many actors. Shortly before the actors’ contract was set to expire in late June, she released a video alongside the union’s lead negotiator, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. The video’s upbeat tone struck viewers as surprising, considering the high stakes of the negotiations. Just days later, over 1,000 actors, including Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lawrence, signed a letter expressing concerns that the union was not taking their readiness to strike into account. The letter urged leadership to seize the moment and not let it slip away. Interestingly, Ms. Drescher, despite her position, added her name to the letter.
A few days before the contract expiration, Ms. Drescher found herself in the spotlight yet again for attending a Dolce & Gabbana fashion show in Puglia, Italy, alongside Kim Kardashian. Ms. Kardashian, with her vast Instagram following of 362 million, referred to Ms. Drescher as her “fashion icon” and praised her as a constant inspiration. However, the backlash was swift. Actress Nancy Lee Grahn, known for her role on “General Hospital,” questioned the authenticity of the photo and tweeted, “I hope this is a joke. It can’t be true. No one could be this ignorant.”
The actors’ union spokeswoman clarified that Ms. Drescher was working as a “brand ambassador” for Dolce & Gabbana, and the negotiating committee was aware of her commitments. Duncan Crabtree-Ireland condemned the criticism of Ms. Drescher’s attendance at the fashion show as “outrageous” and “despicable.”
During the news conference on Thursday, Ms. Drescher addressed the controversy. She stated, “It was actual work,” emphasizing that she was in constant communication with the negotiators while attending the event. “I spent three hours each day doing hair and makeup, walking in heels on cobblestones. These were work duties, not leisure activities.”
While Mr. Crabtree-Ireland relied on a teleprompter for his speech at the news conference, Ms. Drescher spoke passionately and off the cuff. “Wake up and acknowledge reality,” she admonished the studios. “We demand respect! You cannot survive without us!”
“At this critical moment, they are on the wrong side of history,” she continued, forcefully pointing her finger towards the cameras. “We stand in unwavering solidarity, along with our union, sister unions, and labor organizations around the world.”
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