Brooke Shields Takes Center Stage: Actress Elected President of US Actors’ Union
Brooke Shields Elected as Head of Actors’ Union Amid Industry Crisis
The Washington Post reported that renowned actress Brooke Shields (59) has been elected as the head of the actors’ union, which is currently facing numerous challenges.
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the entertainment industry, with stage performances struggling to recover. Meanwhile, concerts and sporting events have seen a resurgence in audience attendance.
With approximately 51,000 stage actors across the United States engaged in various struggles, including a strike by actors performing at Disneyland Resort, union leaders are working to persuade Congress to revive the actor activity fee reduction bill.
Shields, a famous actress who began her career as a model, has become the union president, defeating two other candidates by promising to utilize her fame to benefit actors.
Shields joined the Screen Actors Guild nearly 50 years ago, at the age of 11, in the film “Pretty Baby.” She has since appeared in a hit Netflix film, founded a beauty company, written a book, and starred in a documentary about her experiences as a child and teenager.
Shields has been performing on Broadway since she was 29 and has also appeared in regional theaters and off-Broadway shows.
Following the success of the Hollywood Screen Actors Guild strike last year, Shields ran for the vacant Screen Actors Guild presidency, emphasizing that her track record would ”help increase the membership share.”
The pandemic has caused Broadway actors to experience a significant decline in income, with many unable to perform long enough to qualify for health insurance.
Reviving the tax exemption for tuition and other activity fees that was cut under former U.S. President Donald Trump is a top priority for Shields. She is also lobbying to confirm the $290 million National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities that the Senate included in next year’s budget.
“Politicians tend to start by cutting budgets for the arts and education,” Shields said. “If that continues, our country will end up in a ridiculous state.”
Shields acknowledges that she has limited experience running a union. However, she is committed to learning and growing in her new role.
“I’ve been a union member since I was a little kid,” Shields said. “My mother used to say, if I can’t help you, the union will.”