Amy Aquino for Secretary-Treasurer

SAG Secretary/ Treasurer Candidate Statement:

When I ran for Secretary-Treasurer two years ago, SAG was at an extremely low point:  at war with AFTRA, expenses skyrocketing, revenue diminishing, and morale low among elected and staff. I pledged to do all I could to help ”bring SAG back to financial health, and future strength through unity.” Since then, we’ve made enormous progress in virtually every area, improving services, stabilizing expenses, empowering staff, and  - most important - actively preparing for you to vote on merger. We’ve come a long way, yes - but we’re not there yet. Please give me two more years to finish the job.

Bio

Amy Aquino is a familiar face who’s been earning her living as an actress for nearly 25 years. After earning her BA from Harvard and MFA from the Yale School of Drama, she spent five years in NY doing theater (on and off- Broadway, and regionally) and films like Working Girl and Moonstruck. She relocated to LA to star as Phyllis Berger on the critically acclaimed “Brooklyn Bridge”, and went on to make countless guest appearances, including recurring roles on shows such as ER, Everybody Loves Raymond, Judging Amy, Picket Fences, , Felicity, Freaks and Geeks, Curb Your Enthusiasm, CSI and Crossing Jordan, and  was featured in the films Boys on the Side, White Oleander, A Lot Like Love and In Good Company. She’s also  returned to the stage, performing at the Mark Taper, Geffen and South Coast Rep. and in NY in Wendy Wasserstein’s “Third” at Lincoln Center. Amy served as a SAG officer for 10 years, including two as First Vice President. She served on Negotiating, Finance and Merger Committees, among others, and was the Hollywood Liaison to the Regional Branches. During her long tenure as Chair of the Communications Committee, she spearheaded the creation of SAG’s website, merchandising, and Independent Film Outreach program, as well as the rebirth of the Screen Actor magazine and Hollywood Callsheet.

Ken Howard for President

SAG President Candidate Statement

Two years ago, I was elected national president of SAG on a single platform: to unite SAG and AFTRA and create one powerful union. This year I traveled the country meeting with performers to hear their thoughts on it, and found overwhelming support from members of both unions that this happen as soon as possible. Continuing to be divided at the bargaining table, wasting resources and putting health and pension benefits out of reach serves none of us. I hope to continue as SAG’s president in order to complete this necessary task. Failure is simply not an option.

Bio

Ken Howard has been a working member of SAG for forty years. A Tony and Emmy Award winning actor, he is an Emmy nominee again this year for his role in HBO’s critically acclaimed Grey Gardens. He is currently a SAG National Board Member and the National Chairman of the Guild’s Senior Performers Committee. Mr. Howard made his professional debut on Broadway in 1968 and has since performed in nearly forty stage productions, seven of which were on Broadway, and over twenty feature films. In television he has starred in seven series, six mini-series, sixteen movies, and made countless guest appearances. He helped create The White Shadow, a groundbreaking television series in which he starred from 1978 through 1982.  He spent three years in Cambridge, Massachusetts (1986-89) teaching at the American Repertory Theatre, Harvard University and Harvard Law School. He authored the book “Act Natural” published by Random House in 2003. Mr. Howard has served as Chancellor of the National Kidney Foundation for the past six years. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, retired stuntwoman Linda Howard, and their recently rescued dog, Harley Hoops.

Lisa Vidal

Candidate Statement

I’ve had the honor and pleasure of working in our industry as a SAG member for 32 years. I’ve been fortunate to work on many wonderful projects, and my experience has shown me where our union falls short in representing and protecting us. What’s more, I see many opportunities that are being missed in keeping us working because we’re divided among ourselves, with two competing unions. Unity builds strength and power. Let’s join together the intelligence our unions have amassed over time and create one mind with a plan, a goal, and a focus. www.UniteforStrength.com

Bio

Lisa Vidal stars as Christina Martinez, the supportive wife of President Elias Martinez (Blair Underwood), in NBC’s high-octane conspiracy thriller, “The Event.”

Vidal, an award-winning actress, is no new comer to the challenging multi-layered roles she’s been successfully portraying. She is most recognized for the regular roles she’s played on popular hit primetime series such as “Boston Legal,” “CSI Miami,” “The Division,” “ER,” “Third Watch” and “Southland.”

A strikingly beautiful seasoned actress of Puerto Rican descent, New York City native Vidal began acting in Repertory Theater at age 14 and was cast the following year in the PBS series “Oye Willie,” jump-starting a long and varied acting career, most often playing grounded professionals balancing work and family.

She then went on to play the charming housekeeper for a good-natured elderly heiress, played by Loretta Young, in the NBC holiday TV-movie “Christmas Eve”. The busy actress continued on such popular series as “The Cosby Show” and “Miami Vice.” Determined to take roles that reflected the diversity of the Latino community while at the same time building it up, Vidal acted in the two “ABC After school Special” educational presentations “Class Act: A Teacher’s Story” and “In the Shadow of Love: A Teen AIDS Story”

Vidal then reoccurred “New York Undercover”, playing the sister of Michael DeLorenzo’s NYC police detective, which widened her audience growth. Vidal was soon cast as cocky Jessica Helgado in the critically-lauded police drama “High Incident”, a Steven Spielberg production, and on the sitcom “The Brian Benben Show”.

Though television would remain her primary medium, Vidal also starred in feature films such as “Night and the City” and a significant supporting role in the engaging slice-of-life comedy-drama “I Like It Like That.” She has also appeared in JJ Abrams “Star Trek,” “Chasing Papi” and “Mighty Aphrodite.” She can be seen in “Dark Mirror,” a suspense thriller where she stars as Deborah Martin, a photographer who discovers the sinister history of her new family home.

Vidal’s exceptionally powerful performances and ability to portray both hard and soft in turn without either side being shorted with two-dimensional treatment makes this rising star one to watch.

Lisa Vidal resides with her family in Los Angeles.

Tony Shalhoub

Candidate Statement

Since I started out in this business, I’ve seen seismic shifts in what it takes to make a living as a performer; it’s simply not the same world it was 30 years ago. We as performers have had to do a lot of adapting, and we’ve done it because of our passion for what we do. But there’s no reason we should have to adapt to being hurt by having two duplicative and competing unions.  Merger’s now on the horizon and I’d like the chance to help bring it home. Let’s finally unite for strength. www.UniteforStrength.com

Bio

Tony Shalhoub spent his early life in Green Bay, Wisconsin. His father emigrated from Lebanon to the United States as an orphan at the age of ten, later marrying Shalhoub’s mother, who herself originated from Lebanon. When Tony was just six, he was introduced to the theater, in a school production of “The King and I”. He graduated from Green Bay East High, and then graduated with a bachelor’s degree in drama from the University of Southern Maine before progressing to the Yale School of Drama, which he left with a Masters in 1980.

After a time in the American Repertory Theatre, he moved to Broadway where he met his future wife, Brooke Adams, whom he married in 1992. She had an adopted daughter, Josie, who was three years old at the time that Tony and Brooke married. Tony adopted Brooke’s own adopted child, Josie Lynn (b. 1989) when she was eight. In 1994, the couple adopted another daughter, Sophie, in 1994. Tony’s first audition after arriving in Los Angeles was for Italian cabdriver Antonio Scarpacci in the long-running sitcom ”Wings” (1990), which also starred Tim Daly and Steven Weber. Next, Tony had roles in Men in Black (1997), Men in Black II (2002), and Thir13en Ghosts (2001). His biggest break came, however, playing the obsessive-compulsive detective Adrian Monk in ”Monk” (2002). The series made him a star and earned him four straight EmmyAward nominations between 2003 and 2006, for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. Tony won the trophy in 2003, 2005 and 2006, proving how popular he has become after the success of ”Monk” (2002), which continues to be very popular into its fifth year.

John Carroll Lynch

Candidate Statement

We are in a watershed moment in the history of our craft. We’ve the opportunity to end a sixty- year jurisdictional fight, and we must do everything we can to negotiate our next round of contracts not as two organizations bargaining together, but as a single powerful performers’ union. We cannot let this moment slip away as others have before. The future demands a unified, agile union able to meet the demands of the shifting media marketplace. I’m a prior Hollywood Board Member and would be honored to serve again. Now is the time to unite for strength! www.UniteforStrength.com

Bio

A native of Boulder, CO, John Carroll Lynch graduated from Catholic University of America and earned a B.F.A. in acting.  Early on he did extra work in “Tin Men” and then he received his SAG card for “Bleeding Control,” a Red Cross industrial.  After 8 years at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, he made his feature debut in “Grumpy Old Men.” Since then he has appeared in over 40 films including “Fargo,” “Gran Torino,” “The Good Girl,” “Shutter Island,” “Things We Lost In The Fire,” “Zodiac” and “Crazy, Stupid, Love.”

On the small screen, Lynch’s has done dozens of guest stars and has been a regular on several series including “Carnivàle”, “K-Ville” and “The Brotherhood of Poland, N.H..”  He was on  “The Drew Carey Show” as Steve Carey, Drew’s brother and Mimi’s husband. He is presently a series regular on “Body of Proof” on ABC this fall.

Bob Bergen

Candidate Statement

There’s power in numbers. We must work as one, as strong a conglomerate as those who face us across the negotiating table. Voice-over performers like me have seen technological advancements erode union work at an alarming rate. This year I chaired the Animation contract negotiation, and as a current member of the Voice-Over and Commercial Performers Committees, I bring new ideas, like SAG’s website and online voice-over casting sites offering one-click options to turn non-union work union, user- friendly for both performers and buyers. We must think like a business as the buyers do. We cannot afford not to. www.UniteforStrength.com

Bio

Currently on the local Los Angeles AFTRA board and The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Professional Group Executive Committee for the performers peer group. Bob Bergen’s voice has been heard in hundreds of commercials, including McDonald’s, Mitsubishi, Geico, Petsmart, Publix, Albertsons. His promo resume includes Disney Channel, NBC, FOXKids. He’s the imaging branding voice for radio stations throughout the US. Animated features include Tangled, TinkerBell, Spirited Away, A Bug’s Life, Iron Giant, Cars, The Emperor’s New Groove, Up, Wall-E, to name a few. He voices Luke Skywalker for LucasArts interactive games, as well as all 3 Robot Chicken: Star Wars specials. He’s supplied special vocal effects for dozens of films, including Gremlins, Army of Darkness, Dunsten Checks In, Fright Night 2, Honey, I Blew up the Kid, Santa Clause 2 & 3, He’s an Annie Award nominee for Porky Pig/Cadet in the Emmy nominated series Duck Dodgers. He currently stars as Porky Pig in Cartoon Network’s hit series The Looney Tunes Show.

Arye Gross

Candidate Statement:

The day I joined the Screen Actors Guild was among the proudest of my life. This union has protected me on set, given me and my family access to great health care and a pension. But those protections and benefits are all at risk if we fail to merge with our sister union AFTRA. Two unions representing us to the same employers? Two sets of dues? My earnings split between two pension/health plans? Let’s smarten up and merge these two unions – it’s time to unite! Prior National Board Member 1995-98;”>www.UniteforStrength.com

Bio

Stephen Collins

Candidate Statement

Three little words:  merger, merger, merger.  It’s a fabulous opportunity and we need to get it done, smartly and soon. A proud member since 1972, I’ve served on recent TV/Theatrical negotiating teams for both SAG and AFTRA and currently on SAG’s Seniors and Legislative Committees.  Our union has been very good to me. I have a vested (literally) interest in being sure the merger is done right.  I know the players and will serve the interests and needs of actors who feed themselves and their families through SAG work and who depend on our health and pension plans. www.UniteforStrength.com

Bio

Collins’ Broadway credits include his 2008 role as King Arthur in Spamalot and prior appearances in Moonchildren, The Ritz, The Loves of Anatol, and No Sex Please, We’re British; Off Broadway he appeared opposite Sigourney Weaver in Christopher Durang’s Beyond Therapy, as Macduff to Christopher Walken’s Macbeth at Lincoln Center, and as husband to Julie Andrews (with whom he shares a birthday) in the Stephen Sondheim revue, Putting It Together at Manhattan Theatre Club in 1993.

As previously mentioned, Collins probably is best known for his role as the Reverend Eric Camden in more than 200 episodes of the television series 7th Heaven, though he also notably portrayed Captain/Commander Willard Decker in Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Reverend Camden’s wife, Annie, is played by fellow Star Trek alum Catherine Hicks (she played Dr. Gillian Taylor in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home).

Additional television credits include starring roles in Tales of the Gold Monkey and Tattingers, as well as guest appearances in The Waltons, Barnaby Jones, Charlie’s Angels, and numerous miniseries and made-for-television movies. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work opposite Ann-Margret in the minseries The Two Mrs. Grenvilles and he played John F. Kennedy in the miniseries A Woman Named Jackie, which won the Emmy for Best Miniseries.
Collins and his 7th Heaven co-star Beverley Mitchell are the only two original cast members to appear in every single episode. Collins has co-starred with Diane Keaton in two movies: The First Wives Club (1996) and Because I Said So (2007).
Collins appears as a series regular in the ABC series No Ordinary Family.[3] Collins also appeared as a potential love interest/boyfriend for Ron Rifkin’s character Saul Holden, on ABC’s Brothers & Sisters, in fall of 2010.

Stacey Travis

Candidate Statement

I first ran for the Hollywood Board three years ago because I believed in merger. I watched friends piecing together guest spots, new media and low-budget work and struggle to make insurance. We’re now on the verge of merger, and I’m honored to be part of making this happen. Meanwhile, in this economic landscape there’s much work to do to protect performers.  I’ve met with state legislators to keep jobs in CA through extending and increasing tax incentives.  I’m currently National Co-Chair of Low Budget, Vice-Chair of Honors and Tributes, and member of TV/Theatrical Negotiating, Wages and Working Conditions, Women’s, Global Rule One, SAG Indie and New Technology Committees. www.UniteforStrength.com

Bio

Stacey has been acting in film and TV since her late teens. She has performed in more than 75 productions as a SAG member. You might know her from guest appearances on Seinfeld as a “Jerry girlfriend”, Desperate Housewives, Two and ½ Men, CSI NY, Fraiser, Boston Legal, Entourage, The Riches, Private Practice and more. In films, her notable roles include Bandits, Ghost World, and recently The Great Buck Howard and Easy A. She was the proud recipient of a SAG award for outstanding cast for the Oscar winning film Traffic. She is thrilled to have worked with some of the directors she admires like Barry Levinson, Steven Soderberg, Albert Brooks and Mike Nichols. Stacey attended drama school in London and graduated from film school at USC. Stacey has three upcoming independent films waiting to be released this year. She is incredibly proud and honored to be elected to represent and fight for her fellow actors as a current Hollywood Board member.

Vivicca Whitsett

Candidate Statement

Proud union actor for 16 years, working both Commercials and TV/Theatrical. With reality TV eliminating jobs, I struggle to qualify for insurance each year. Background performers, minorities, voice artists – all members deserve a voice on the Board to pursue new ways to get new work. I’m committed to inclusiveness, responsibility and accountability for our future. We must end divisiveness – our fellow actors are not our enemies. I believe in merger because together we stand stronger. Current: National Co-Chair of Ethnic Employment Opportunity Committee; Chair Holiday Host Committee; member of Honors Tributes Committee and MOVE. Prior: Agents Relations, EEOC, and Communications Committees. www.UniteforStrength.com

Parvesh Cheena

Candidate Statement

I’ve been a SAG member since 2001, joining as soon as I booked my first union commercial. As a college student thrilled with my newfound ability to pay my rent from acting, I knew I had my union to thank.  I worked alongside my fellow Chicago performers to merge AFTRA and SAG in 2003. We were surprised when the initiative failed, leaving members scrambling for insurance and without real leverage at the negotiating table.  We cannot fail again.  A united performers’ union would grant all actors what every hard-working artist deserves – a chance to make a living.  www.UniteforStrength.com

Bio

Parvesh Cheena recently starred in NBC’s comedy series OUTSOURCED as Gupta.

Parv grew up in Naperville, Illinois, and studied musical theatre at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. He currently resides in Los Angeles.

Cheena has recurred on “Help Me Help You,” “‘Til Death,” and “Brothers and Sisters.” Other guest starring roles include “ER,” “The West Wing,” “The O.C.,” “The Suite Life with Zack and Cody,” “Crossing Jordan,” and “My Name is Earl”

His film debut was in “Barbershop” as Samir, and he reprised his role in the sequel “Barbershop 2: Back in Business.” Cheena appeared in “Because I Said So,” opposite Diane Keaton.

A Second City Los Angeles Conservatory and IO/West graduate, Cheena currently performs long-form improvisation with the Harold mainstage team, BANDIT, at IO/West. He is also a part of a three-man improv group named STU; the South Asian team Browntown; and the musical improv troupe All-Skate. He is continuing classes at Steppenwolf Classes West with renowned viewpoints teacher Alexandra Billings, and at the Uprights Citizens Brigade Theatre in Los Angeles. www.parvesh.com

Kate Flannery

Candidate Statement

I’m extremely lucky to make my living as an on-camera and voice-over actor, so I want to give back.  A singer and comedian as well, I believe all performers should feel represented in our new combined union. Just as the leadership of Unite for Strength has brought hope and reality back into SAG, I’ll help keep the focus on the solutions instead of the personalities. Harmony and sanity will keep us on track, not infighting and drama. I want to be of service so all SAG and AFTRA members feel powerful and protected in the union of our unions. www.UniteforStrength.com

Bio

Kate plays Meredith Palmer on NBC’s Emmy winning comedy, The Office. She is currently the voice of Wendy of Wendy’s Hamburgers. Kate has guest starred on Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place, HBO’s Life and Times of Tim, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Boom Town, Bernie Mac Show, Last Comic Standing and SNL’s Saturday TV Fun House, Leno and The Soup.  Kate’s been seen on the NY stage in Nora Ephron’s play Love, Loss and What I Wore, Theater A-Go-Go’s Valley of the Dolls and the Real Live Brady Bunch. She’s a former member of Chicago’s Second City touring company. Her original comedy lounge act, the Lampshades plays regularly in Hollywood. www.thelampshades.com

Iqbal Theba

Candidate Statement

With all the attention “Glee” has received, nothing meant as much as being acknowledged by fellow performers with a Screen Actors Guild Award. I’m running for the Board because I firmly believe this is a very critical time in history for actors. We must merge with AFTRA, and ensure that when we do, actors’ interests are protected; SAG’s hardworking background actors get their due respect and benefits, and the pride of being an actor lives on. I will reach out to board members who disagree with me and try to understand their point of view so we can move forward together. www.UniteforStrength.com

Bio

Born in Karachi, Pakistan on December 20, 1963. Started college as a Freshman at the University of Oklahoma in 1981. Studied Civil Engineering at first and has a BS in Construction Engineering Management. Went back to the University of Oklahoma in 1986 and majored in Acting. Was the first South Asian to have appeared in dozens of mainstream national commercials in the 90s.