Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1542650
O n Feb. 25, 1995, a unique awards show aired from Universal Studios' Stage 12. It would be the first of many ceremonies celebrating the best film and television performances of the year, the nominations and honorees chosen by those who know their cra best: the actors. Just over 30 years later, the Screen Actors Guild Awards would get a name change to best reflect its unique position as the only industry honor given to actors, by actors. It would be called The Actor Awards Presented by SAG-AFTRA. Change can be uncomfortable, but for actors, it's the essence of their cra. In his Nov. 15 letter to members, SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin said of The Actor Awards, "In the performing arts and in life, we go by many names. The title of the show that represents our members carries with it an important comment on the nature of identity, that of our show and that of our union on behalf of our members." Astin, who has his own Actor ® statuette for being a member of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King cast, went on to impart his thoughts on what the new name represents and the exceptional nature of the SAG-AFTRA community. Below are additional excerpts from his letter: Many do not know that our beautiful and iconic statuette, the award itself, has a name: The Actor®. The Actor statuette depicts a performer, an actor, posed to express the dignity, poise and skill that define our cra. It is meant to represent all performers. It is an emblem of humanity. For over three decades, every presenter, when announcing the recipient, says the famous words, "and The Actor goes to …" In a literal sense, this show has always been The Actor Awards. Award shows are many things to many people. The Actor Awards are special because they are us. Our members, who work so hard and with such passion, delivering performances that have the power to transform our culture, deserve to be recognized by their peers for their excellence. It is also actors voting for actors. Our collective and profound understanding of performance, communicated exclusively by our members, powers this awards show. SAG-AFTRA is gratified to continue its unique relationship with Netflix as the streaming partner of the live event, and we are excited about this new chapter, which is expected to give international audiences a clearer picture of what makes our show special. As a merged union, including our full name — SAG-AFTRA — accurately conveys to the public that the show is speaking for our entire union. I offer thanks and appreciation to everyone involved in progressing the show with this new name. To every member of our union, as far as I'm concerned, 'The Actor' represents all of us. When I received the statuette in 2004, it was one of the proudest moments of my life. It represented my mom and my family, it represented all of my colleagues on every project I've ever worked on — and it represented all of you. The 32nd Annual Actor Awards Presented by SAG-AFTRA is about our community liing our members up. It's about the unique pride and respect that we have for ourselves and each other. The new name will come to mean whatever we want it to mean. To me, it means all of you. In unity, Sean Astin, President