Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1490579
sagaftra.org • SAG-AFTR A SPECIAL ISSUE 2023 • 48 Williams. "I have been moved by so many of them, but one really stands out for me. It was Helen Mirren's Life Achievement Award speech this past year. My favorite line was when she said she learned early on that an actor's rule should be, 'Show up on time and don't be an ass.' It made me laugh because it's so perfect. And then she made me cry as she talked about the real things we go through as actors. The constant fear, nausea and vomiting because we are putting ourselves out there in front of people all the time and may look like total fools. "Every actor can tell you that is true. And that we choose to do that to ourselves is an amazing idea. And yet we continue because we love having the chance to disappear into new characters." SAVING THE DAY "Looking back, what stands out for me are the times an actor has saved us," says SAG Awards Committee Vice Chair Daryl Anderson. "There was the final year of NYPD Blue when Dennis Franz, who'd been at the show each year, was set to do the nomination announcements. The problem was an overnight mudslide closed the freeway that would have gotten him here. There was no way he could do it. On extremely short notice, our talent executive reached out to James Denton of Desperate Housewives. He showed up in the nick of time — 6 a.m. — and performed beautifully and enthusiastically. One of the best nominations announcements ever, and no one was the wiser that it was all an improv. "Another year, Russell Crowe was set to introduce the clip package for 3:10 to Yuma when he was felled by flu on show day. SAG Awards Executive Producer Kathy Connell went to Russell's co-star Ben Foster, interrupting dinner at his table moments before showtime, and asked him to pinch hit. No rehearsal. Ben didn't hesitate — again, Desperate Housewives actor (and improv extraordinaire!) James Denton Daryl Anderson PF/KEYSTONE USA/RE X/SHUT TERSTOCK