Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1541667
144 SAG-AFTRA | Fall/Winter 2025 | sagaftra.org PATT Y DUKE NEVER STRUCK OUT Mother of SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin Served as SAG President 1985–88 D ec. 8, 1985: Elected to her first two-year term as Screen Actors Guild president the month before, Anna Marie "Patty" Duke addressed members at the SAG annual membership meeting, promising, "In a quiet, but progressive way, I plan to lead you through two very boring years, though they will be extremely productive." They were hardly boring! First, a move to a new headquarters — the Guild's fifth — to the newly remodeled former 1919 Hollywood Congregational Church in June 1986. In March of 1987, Duke received a statistical report that SAG had now distributed $1 billion dollars in film and TV residuals since 1952. She stated, "In truth, we would rather have new jobs than reruns, but we would rather have reruns than no jobs at all. That's why we've fought so hard for so many years to earn — and keep — our residuals." Facing the possibility of a TV animation strike — the contract was granted a one-year extension in 1986 — Duke announced at the Hollywood mid-year membership meeting of June 9, 1987, that she would run for a second term that fall. Six days later, on June 15, the TV animation strike began against Walt Disney Productions, Hanna-Barbera, Marvel and DIC Enterprises. Hanna-Barbera settled quickly, on July 2, with the others following July 24. On July 27, a new three-year contract was signed. Duke declared, "Producers learned that SAG talent can't be replaced by computers or people off the streets." She was re-elected president that November. Another strike began March 21, 1988, jointly with AFTRA, headed by National President Frank Maxwell, over payments for broadcast commercials shown on cable TV, and it was suspended three and a half weeks later. One of Duke's final official acts was presenting the Guild's Ralph Morgan Award to Screen Actors Guild's first employee, Marjorie "Midge" Van Buren Farrell, and its first attorney, Lawrence W. Beilenson, at the Hollywood mid-year membership meeting of June 12, 1988. Three days later, Duke announced her resignation, due to becoming a co-producer on the TV biopic of her highly acclaimed 1987 autobiography Call Me Anna, in which she would also star. She was succeeded by first VP Barry Gordon. Former SAG board member Fritz Feld (1971–87) wrote her a glowing farewell note: "The news of your resignation as president of SAG to become a producer is one of the saddest chapters in the history of the Guild. You maintained unity, democratic action and membership participation so effectively, and the way you presided over the frequently difficult sessions was a delight. In addition, it was a pleasure to look at a beautiful woman during those long-lasting meetings. Your funny facial expressions kept me amused and told me where you stood on the issue at hand. The Guild lost a fabulous president! P.S. Now how about a part in your next production?" SAG-AFTRA ARCHIVES SAG President Patty Duke on June 15, 1987, speaks on the first day of the TV Animation strike. On the whiteboard behind her are addresses for two of the studios to be picketed, and some of the slogans used on the strike posters "We're Speechless" and "No Comment."