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SAGAFTRA.org | Spring 2016 | SAG-AFTRA 25 HOWARD The 71-year-old actor died March 23 at his home near Los Angeles. In addition to the host of memorable characters he created, Howard will be remembered as the last president of Screen Actors Guild and the first elected president of the new, more powerful SAG-AFTRA. The Guild merged with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists in 2012 under his committed leadership, increasing actors' collective bargaining power and bringing diverse talents with common interests under the same umbrella. Recently elected SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris, who worked closely with Howard when she was executive vice president and throughout the merger process, said Howard's vision helped unite performers, ending a divisive and uncertain period. "Ken was a beacon of light that guided us in challenging times and which will continue to shine into the future," Carteris said. SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White said Howard saw the merger as his "North Star." "Once he fixed upon it, he never wavered from that goal," White said. Howard was elected president of Screen Actors Guild in 2009 and re-elected in 2011 on his pledge to unite the unions. The merger effort was overwhelmingly approved by members of both entities. Howard was serving his second term as SAG-AFTRA president when he died. During his collective four terms, Howard chaired the successful negotiation of many key contracts. He traveled frequently to speak with members and channeled much of his energy into the President's Task Force on Education, Outreach and Engagement. He also represented SAG-AFTRA members as a vice president of the AFL-CIO and served on its Executive Council. On stage and screen, the Yale-trained actor parlayed his classic blond, blue-eyed handsomeness into a nearly 50-year career. At more than 6-feet 6-inches tall, Howard was dashing, debonair and athletic. In 1969, he originated the role of Thomas Jefferson in the musical 1776. He returned to Broadway the next year in Child's Play, earning a Tony Award for his role as Paul Reese. From Broadway, Howard made his feature motion picture debut opposite Liza Minnelli in Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon. He would go on to standout performances in dozens of movies, including the feature film version of 1776, and more recently, The Judge, The Wedding Ringer and Joy. But it was on the television screen where Howard perhaps most deeply connected with audiences. In 1978, Howard originated the role of Coach Ken Reeves on the groundbreaking television series The White Shadow. Based on his own experiences as one of the only white players on his high school basketball team, the show starred Howard ven though he earned two Emmys, a Tony and many other accolades during his distinguished acting career, SAG-AFTRA President Ken Howard considered presiding over the union as his role of a lifetime. Howard once said that serving was "the most important thing I have ever done." BETH COLLER KEVORK DJANSEZIAN/GETTY IMAGES Left, Howard, after winning the SAG presidency for the first time in 2009. Right, Howard, at the SAG-AFTRA merger announcement in 2012 with then-AFTRA President Roberta Reardon.