This past Friday, Sean Astin was elected the new president of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, or SAG-AFTRA. The actor and producer, most known for playing Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, will be taking up the mantle 37 years after his mother, Patty Duke, left the position.

Sean Astin won nearly 80% of the vote, with his running mate, Michelle Hurd, racking up 65% of the votes for the treasurer-secretary position. Astin ran against Chuck Slavin, with the current president, Fran Drescher, choosing not to run again. In a statement after his win, Astin said, “Now is a time for optimism and creativity. I am thrilled that the members have allowed me to lead our storied organization out of this challenging moment and into a future defined by confidence, progress and fierce advocacy. I’m excited to get to work.” Hurd also added. “Our industry is at a transitional moment, and we are facing real challenges, but I am optimistic and ready to fight.”

Astin and Hurd’s campaign centered around bringing productions back to the United States, fighting for protection against A.I., and improving health and benefits plans. The pair worked on the same board as former president Fran Drescher, serving on the 2023 negotiating committee and on the national board under Drescher. The pair has their work cut out for them, as they must begin preparations for the 2026 film and television contract negotiations, the first time at the table since the actors’ strikes in 2023.