Fran Drescher’s Fiery Speech Positions The One-Time ‘Nanny’ As SAG-AFTRA’s Norma Rae

Fran Drescher has gone viral for blasting Hollywood studio executives in an impassioned speech after negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and studios failed, a speech that would have made Norma Rae proud. While she hoped they would have been able to “avert a strike,” the union president called out the “greedy entity” for claiming “they’re losing money left and right while giving hundreds of millions of dollars to their CEOs.”

In her speech, Drescher — who has cemented herself as the strike’s fearless leader — was “shocked” about how studio execs are treating actors, calling them “disgusting” and slamming them for standing on “the wrong side of history.”

“You cannot keep being dwindled and marginalized and disrespected and dishonored. The entire business model has been changed by streaming, digital, AI,” she said. “If we don’t stand tall right now, we are all going to be in trouble. We are all going to be in jeopardy of being replaced by machines and big business who cares more about Wall Street than you and your family.”

Following Drescher’s fiery speech and the shutdown of Hollywood, stars came out in droves to support the cause. Josh Gad tweeted that he’s “proud and impressed” by the union as well as Drescher, while Kim Cattrall shared a photo of herself with the union leader in “solidarity.”

We stand in solidarity… @sagaftra @frandrescher pic.twitter.com/fbTmaB8qUk

— Kim Cattrall (@KimCattrall) July 14, 2023

For all those who didn’t grow up in the ’90s, you may be wondering: Who is Fran Drescher? What is she famous for? And where can you find more of her? Luckily, we have you covered on everything you need to know!

Who is Fran Drescher?

Drescher was born to a Jewish Family in Queens in 1957. While attending high school, she met Peter Marc Jacobson — her now ex-husband who went on to become a frequent collaborator of hers. The actress had her breakout role as a dancer in Saturday Night Fever, in which she memorably asked John Travolta‘s character, “So, are you as good in bed as you are on the dance floor?” She later gained fame with the CBS sitcom, The Nanny, which she co-created and co-wrote with Jacobson as well as starred in. The show — which ran from 1993 to 1999 — followed Fran Fine (Drescher), a Jewish-American from Queens, who takes up a job nannying for a rich British family.

Drescher — who was heavily involved in politics throughout her career — won her bid for SAG-AFTRA president in 2021, succeeding Gabrielle Carteris (best known from her role on Beverly Hills 90210 as Andrea Zuckerman). In a campaign video, the actress promised to bring “positivity and optimism” as leader of the union.

“Only as a united front will we have strength against the real opposition in order to achieve what we all want: more benefits, stronger contracts and better protections,” she said in a statement at the time of her election, per Variety. “Let us lock elbows and together show up with strength at the negotiating table!”

Where to stream The Nanny:

All six season of The Nanny, which features Drescher in her most iconic role, are currently streaming on Max (formerly HBO Max). You can subscribe to the streaming platform for $9.99 per month with ads or $15.99 per month without ads.