Candidate: National President, National Board, Local Board

National Officer Candidate Statement

For 44 years—since I joined the union as a young performer and my mother was President of this union—I’ve had a deep passion for the fierce advocacy of our members. Through service on the National and Local Boards, five Negotiating Committees, and many others, I’ve learned that every performer and every Local deserves real understanding and determined support. Our industry is hurting. We need strong leadership. Healthcare and pension reform. Expansive AI protections. Better contracts. Better pay. Better streaming residuals. Stronger enforcement. Safer working conditions. I have been and will continue to fight for you.

Los Angeles Local Board Candidate Statement

The opportunity to serve in union leadership is a gift. The past four years in SAG-AFTRA have been a journey like no other in my life. I’ve poured my heart and soul into this work, National and Local Boards, 5 negotiating committees, many other committees, overseeing dozens of broadcast and other contracts, and learning precisely how our union works. The next two years are about maximizing our capabilities and demanding that your union fully and truly serves you. And then, when we, in turn, rededicate ourselves to our union, extraordinary things are possible.

Candidate Bio

Actor • Union Leader • Public Servant

Sean Astin has been a SAG-AFTRA member for over 40 years. He currently serves on both the National and Los Angeles Local Boards and has served on five negotiating committees: Netflix (pre-AMPTP), TV/Theatrical (2023 strike), Animation, Commercials, and Nickelodeon. He chairs the LA Government Affairs and Public Policy Committee and the National Strike Preparedness Committee, and serves on the National Executive Committee.Known for his collaborative, hands-on leadership, Sean focuses on strengthening contracts, enforcing protections, improving union processes, and fostering a stronger, more connected union community.

He has worked across theatrical, television, voiceover, commercial, and animation contracts, giving him insight into the needs of diverse performer categories. His leadership extends beyond negotiations—advocating for members in civic and policy arenas, including AI protections, legislative testimony, and engagement with local and federal officials.

Sean holds a Master’s in Public Administration and Policy from American University and earned dual B.A. degrees in History and English from UCLA. He was appointed as a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army during the Clinton administration and later served on President George W. Bush’s Council on Service and Civic Participation. He is also the founder of Run3rd Alliance, a nonprofit supporting after-school running programs for underserved youth. In addition to his union and nonprofit work, Sean is a longtime advocate for mental health awareness, literacy, climate activism, and civic engagement.

Sean lives in Los Angeles with his wife of over 30 years, Christine, and their three daughters: Alexandra (Ali), Elizabeth, and Isabella. A lifelong endurance athlete, he has completed 13 marathons—including Boston and Marine Corps—and successfully finished the Ironman World Championship Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii. He also created and hosted Vox Populi: Voice of the Occasionally Interested People, a two-season political radio show dedicated to modeling civil discourse across ideological divides.

As an actor, Sean has appeared in over 180 film and television projects, including The Goonies, Rudy, The Lord of the Rings, and Stranger Things.