Fran Drescher, best known for starring as the title character of the ’90s sitcom “The Nanny,” is leading the Hollywood labor strike as president of the SAG-AFTRA union.
For the first time in 63 years, actors and writers are striking together against Hollywood after failing to reach a fair deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents studios. film and streamer, in television, theater and streaming work.
Here’s how Drescher went from a TV star to a key figure in the SAG-AFTRA alliance.
Drescher began acting professionally in the ’70s, with roles in the films “Saturday Night Fever” and “American Hot Wax.” But her biggest claim to fame was playing the outspoken, over-the-top Fran Fine on the CBS show “The Nanny,” which she created and produced with her then-husband Peter Marc Jacobson.
The sitcom ran for six seasons from 1993 to 1999, and Drescher’s performance earned Emmy and Golden Globe nominations in 1996 and 1997.
Even though many years have passed since “The Nanny” ended, the show still has a large fan base including people like Cardi B.
In 2020, Drescher revealed that a Broadway musical based on the beloved sitcom was in the works, but that she would not be reprising her role. The actor also expressed interest in a potential “Nanny” movie in an interview with Parade, published in February.
Drescher is the author of two memoirs, Enter Whining (1996) and Cancer Schmancer (2002). The title and theme of the latter book were inspired by the actress’s experience of surviving uterine cancer in her 40s.
Drescher said it took two years and eight doctors to get an accurate diagnosis, and she went on to found a nonprofit organization, Cancer Schmancer, to raise awareness about the early signs of the disease. cancer. Even before becoming president of SAG-AFTRA, Drescher was outspoken about her stance toward “the elites of the big business ruling class” and her belief that “capitalism has crazy activity”.
Drescher also continued acting after “The Nanny”. She guest-starred in series such as “Law & Order: Criminal Intent”, “Entourage” and “Broad City”. She also voiced Eunice in the animated film “Hotel Transylvania”.
Drescher and Jacobson, who married in 1978, divorced in 1999. Jacobson said he came out as gay to Drescher after the split and the couple continued to be friends and collaborators. They went on to co-create the television show “Happily Divorced,” inspired by their relationship.
