Sean Astin Elected as New SAG-AFTRA President

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Actor Sean Astin has been elected the new president of SAG-AFTRA, succeeding Fran Drescher, as announced on September 12, 2025. According to Deadline, Astin won seventy-nine percent of the vote, beating out Chuck Salvin. Actress Michelle Hurd was elected as secretary-treasurer. They will begin their two-year terms right away. Astin will be following in the footsteps of his mother, Patty Duke, who served as SAG President from 1985 to 1998.

Who is Sean Astin?

Sean Astin was born on February 25, 1971. His first movie role was in the 1985 movie The Goonies as Michael “Mikey” Walsh, the leader of the Goonies, and it is still one of Astin’s most popular movies. Sean starred as Rudy Ruetiger in the 1993 sports biographical film Rudy, based on the real-life figure Rudy Ruetiger and his dream of playing for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Sean’s most popular role was in the early 2000s as Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the best friend and loyal companion of Frodo Baggins. His performance as Samwise has been praised by critics and fans. Astin has appeared in many other shows and movies throughout the years, including a main voice role as one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Raphael, in the 2012 animated series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Sean Astin has done more than just acting. He had been a Civilian Aide for the Secretary of the Army from 1995 to 2005. According to The Hill, Astin also served on the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation for a couple of years, which was created by President George W. Bush to promote volunteerism and brought many actors, athletes, business leaders, and other personalities together. Astin is a strong believer in civic participation.

Sean Astin is optimistic and ready to take on his new role. According to The Hollywood Reporter,

Astin and Michelle Hurd ran on a platform for more protection against AI, improvements to health and pension plans, and residuals in contract plans. Astin will be preparing for next year when the 2023 deal SAG-AFTRA made with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to end the 2023 Actors’ Strike expires June 30, 2026, and a new deal has to be negotiated to prevent another strike. It is still too early to determine if another strike will happen next year. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers looks forward to working with Sean Astin.

What are your thoughts on Sean Astin’s new role as President of SAG-AFTRA? What’s your favorite Sean Astin performance? Let us know in the comments below.