Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/422151
SAGAFTRA.org | Fall 2014 | SAG-AFTRA 71 JOHN SLATTERY, a WCBS-TV New York broadcaster and a union steward at the station for 15 years, died Sept. 25 at the age of 63. Slattery passed away just hours after filing a story for the network. In more than 30 years at CBS, Slattery reported on the five boroughs, covering some of the biggest stories. He was one of the first reporters to obtain a one-on-one interview with former President Richard Nixon after his resignation, he was one of the primary reporters to cover the story of subway vigilante Bernie Goetz in the mid-1980s, and he arrived at the Twin Towers during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, before many emergency response crews. Slattery, who joined AFTRA in 1977, was known for his steady voice and his ability to explain even the most challenging of topics with relative ease. He was also a four- time Emmy Award-winner and the son of former AFTRA President Joe Slattery. SUMI HARU, a national board member and former interim Screen Actors Guild President, died Oct. 16 at age 75. Haru joined SAG in 1968 and AFTRA in 1972 and served as a national board member for both organizations for multiple terms since 1974. She served as interim president of Screen Actors Guild in 1995, the first and only woman of color to hold the position. In 2013, she was elected for a two-year term as a member of the first elected national board of the merged SAG-AFTRA. In 1995, she became the first Asian-Pacific American to serve as a national vice president of the AFL-CIO, a position she filled for six years. Haru was a co-founder and national chair of SAG's Ethnic Employment Opportunities Committee and Western national chair of AFTRA's Equal Employment Opportunities Committee. She was a negotiator of "American Scene" language and affirmative action clauses for SAG and AFTRA contracts. In 2009, Haru was honored with SAG's Ralph Morgan Award for her distinguished service to SAG's Hollywood Division. SAG-AFTR A ARCHIVES SAG-AFTR A ARCHIVES SAG President Barry Gordon hands the gavel to Sumi Haru, who became interim president of SAG following his resignation in July 1995. ROBIN WILLIAMS, a beloved comedian and actor who delighted audiences in films such as Aladdin and The World According to Garp, died Aug. 11 of an apparent suicide at the age of 63. Williams, who was as well known for comedic roles as dramatic, got his break playing space alien Mork on TV's Mork & Mindy, a spinoff of Happy Days. Many of his films, particularly Mrs. Doubtfire, would go on to become genre classics. Over the course of his lengthy career, Williams was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 1987's Good Morning Vietnam, 1989's Dead Poets Society and 1991's The Fisher King. He won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of Dr. Sean Maguire in 1997's Good Will Hunting. CBS become genre classics. Over the course of his lengthy career, CBS MARCIA STRASSMAN, a devoted union leader best known for her role as Julie Kotter on the 1970s ABC comedy Welcome Back Kotter, died Oct. 24 at age 66. Strassman served on the SAG National Board in 2002 and again from 2010-12. She also served on the AFTRA National Board from 2011-12, and then on the SAG-AFTRA National Board from 2012-13. Over the years, Strassman was a member of numerous SAG committees, including the National Executive Committee, Awards Committee, Women's Committee, Agents Relations Committee, Merger Task Force and the TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee, and she was elected to be an AFTRA convention delegate in 2009 and 2011. Strassman joined SAG in 1964 and AFTRA in 1966. She was also well-known for her film role as the wife and mother in Disney's successful comedy franchise Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and Honey, I Blew Up the Kid. In addition to acting, Strassman also achieved success as a recording artist in the late 1960s, and is best known for her Top 40 song The Flower Children. and then on the SAG-AFTRA National Board from 2012-13. President Richard Nixon after his resignation, he was one of WCBS Find Help and Support Members in crisis can reach out for help. Contact (800) 273-TALK for suicide prevention counseling and assistance. Additionally, The Actors Fund, a nonprofit human services organization serves SAG-AFTRA members with a variety of social services including mental health and addiction and recovery services. Learn more at actorsfund.org.