Fran Drescher
Fran Drescher | |
---|---|
![]() Drescher in 2018 | |
3rd National President of SAG–AFTRA | |
Assumed office October 15, 2021 | |
Preceded by | Gabrielle Carteris |
Personal details | |
Born | Francine Joy Drescher September 30, 1957 New York City, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | |
Domestic partner | Shiva Ayyadurai (2014–2016) |
Education | Queens College, CUNY (no degree) |
Signature | ![]() |
Francine Joy Drescher (born September 30, 1957) is an American actress and
Drescher made her screen debut with a small role in the 1977 film Saturday Night Fever and later appeared in American Hot Wax (1978) and Wes Craven's horror film Stranger in Our House (1978). In the 1980s, she worked as a comedic actress in the films Gorp (1980), The Hollywood Knights (1980), Doctor Detroit (1983), This Is Spinal Tap (1984), and UHF (1989), and made guest appearances on several television series.
In 1993, she achieved wider fame as Fran Fine in her own sitcom vehicle The Nanny, for which she was nominated for two
The national members of trade union SAG-AFTRA, representing actors and other media professionals, elected Drescher as president, and she took office on October 15, 2021.[3][4] Drescher led the union during the five-month actors' strike that began on July 14, 2023, partially overlapping with the writers' strike that had begun in May of that year.[5]
Early life and education
Francine Joy Drescher was born on September 30, 1957, in
She attended Flushing's Parsons Junior High School, which later dissolved,
Career
Early career
Drescher's first break was a small role as dancer Connie in the movie
The Nanny and film roles

Drescher and Jacobson created their own television show,
Return to television
In the 2000s, Drescher made a return to television both with leading and guest roles. In 2003, Drescher appeared in episodes of the short-lived sitcom Good Morning, Miami as Roberta Diaz. In 2005, she returned with the sitcom Living with Fran, in which she played Fran Reeves, a middle-aged mother of two living with Riley Martin (Ryan McPartlin), a man half her age and not much older than her son. Former Nanny costar Charles Shaughnessy appeared as her philandering ex-husband, Ted. Living with Fran was cancelled on May 17, 2006, after two seasons.
In 2006, Drescher guest-starred in an episode of
In 2010, Drescher returned to television with her own daytime talk show,
To promote Happily Divorced, Drescher performed the weddings of three gay couples in New York City using the minister's license she received from the Universal Life Church.[23] Drescher hand-picked the three couples, all of whom were entrants into "Fran Drescher's 'Love Is Love' Gay Marriage Contest" on Facebook, based on the stories the couples submitted about how they met, why their relationship illustrated that "love is love" and why they wanted to be married by her.[24]
Broadway
Drescher made her
Trade union leader
In 2021, Drescher began her campaign to become president of the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (
Personal life
Fran Drescher met Peter Marc Jacobson when she was 15.[35] The two were high school sweethearts and married at 21.[36] In January 1985, two armed men broke into Drescher and Jacobson's Los Angeles apartment. While one ransacked their home, Drescher and a female friend were raped by the other robber at gunpoint. Jacobson was also physically attacked, tied up, and forced to witness the entire ordeal. It took Drescher many years to recover, and it took her even longer to tell her story to the press. She was paraphrased as saying in an interview with Larry King that although it was a traumatic experience, she found ways to turn it into something positive. In her book Cancer Schmancer, the actress writes: "My whole life has been about changing negatives into positives." According to Drescher, her rapist, who was on parole at the time of the crime, was returned to prison and given two life sentences.[37]
After separating in 1996, Drescher and Jacobson divorced in 1999. They had no children. Drescher has worked to support LGBT rights issues after her former husband came out.[38] Drescher has stated that the primary reason for the divorce was her need to change directions in life. Drescher and Jacobson remain friends and business partners. She has stated that "we choose to be in each other's lives in any capacity. Our love is unique, rare, and unconditional, unless he's being annoying."[39][40] On September 7, 2014, Drescher and Shiva Ayyadurai participated in a ceremony at Drescher's beach house. Both tweeted that they had married and the event was widely reported as such.[41][42][43] Ayyadurai later said it was not "a formal wedding or marriage," but a celebration of their "friendship in a spiritual ceremony with close friends and her family."[44][45] The couple separated two years later.[46][47] In March 2024, Drescher's father died at the age of 94.[10]
Cancer

After two years of symptoms and misdiagnoses by eight doctors, Drescher was admitted to Los Angeles's
Cancer Schmancer Movement
On June 21, 2007, the seventh anniversary of her operation, Drescher launched the Cancer Schmancer Movement, a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all women's cancers be diagnosed while in Stage 1, the most curable stage. She celebrated her tenth year of wellness on June 21, 2010. Drescher says:
We need to take control of our bodies, become greater partners with our physicians and galvanize as one to let our legislators know that the collective female vote is louder and more powerful than that of the richest corporate lobbyists.[48]
She says her goal is to live in a time when women's mortality rates drop as their healthcare improves and early cancer detection increases. Her efforts as an outspoken healthcare advocate in Washington, D.C. helped get unanimous passage for H.R. 1245 (also known as Johanna's Law) and she is acknowledged in the Congressional Record.
Politics

In September 2008, Drescher, a
In 2008, Drescher supported Senator
Charity
In April 2014, Drescher presented at
Awards

Drescher has been the recipient of the
Filmography
† | Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released |
Film
Year | Film | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1977 | Saturday Night Fever | Connie | |
1978 | American Hot Wax | Sheryl | |
Stranger in Our House | Carolyn Baker | ||
1980 | The Hollywood Knights | Sally | |
Gorp | Evie | ||
1981 | Ragtime | Mameh | |
1983 | Doctor Detroit | Karen Blittstein | |
1984 | This Is Spinal Tap | Bobbi Flekman | |
P.O.P. | Maggie Newton | ||
The Rosebud Beach Hotel | Linda | ||
1988 | Rock 'n' Roll Mom | Jody Levin | |
1989 | UHF | Pamela Finklestein | |
Love and Betrayal | Germaine | ||
The Big Picture | Polo Habel | ||
1990 | Wedding Band | Veronica | |
Cadillac Man | Joy Munchack | ||
Hurricane Sam | Rene Gianelli | ||
1991 | We're Talking Serious Money | Valerie | |
1993 | Without Warning: Terror in the Towers | Rosemarie Russo | |
1994 | Car 54, Where Are You? | Velma Valour | |
1996 | Jack | Dolores "D.D." Durante | |
1997 | The Beautician and the Beast | Joy Miller | Nominated – Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress |
1998 | The Emperor's New Clothes: An All-Star Illustrated Retelling of the Classic Fairy Tale | The Heralding Horn | (voice) |
2000 | Picking Up the Pieces | Sister Frida | |
Kid Quick | Kerry | ||
2003 | Beautiful Girl | Amanda Wasserman | |
2005 | Santa's Slay | Virginia Mason | |
2006 | Shark Bait
|
Pearl (voice) | |
2011 | Mindwash: The Jake Sessions | Madame LaRue | |
2012 | Hotel Transylvania | Eunice (voice) | |
2013 | Skum Rocks! | Herself | |
Brave Miss World | |||
2015 | Hotel Transylvania 2 | Eunice (voice) | Cameo |
2018 | The Creatress | Carrie Robards | |
Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation | Eunice (voice) | ||
2019 | After Class | Diane | |
2022 | Hotel Transylvania: Transformania | Eunice (voice) | |
2025 | Marty Supreme † | Marty's mother | Post-production |
TBA | Spinal Tap II †
|
Bobbi Flekman | Post-production |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1978 | Saturday Night Live | Concert Goer | Episode: "Steve Martin/Van Morrison" |
1982 | Fame | Rhonda | Episode: "Metamorphosis" |
1983 | 9 to 5 | Tapioca | Episode: "The Oldest Profession" |
1985 | Silver Spoons | Annie | Episode: "Marry Me, Marry Me: Part 2" |
227 | Mrs. Baker | Episode: "The Refrigerator" | |
1985, 1986 | Who's the Boss? | Carol Patrice, Joyce Columbus | 2 episodes |
1986 | Night Court | Miriam Brody | Episode: "Author, Author" |
Charmed Lives | Joyce Columbus | 4 episodes | |
1987 | Rosie | Vicki Low | Episode: "Valentine of Life" |
1990 | ALF | Roxanne | Episode: "Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades" |
WIOU | Jo Finc | Episode: "Pilot" | |
1991 | Princesses | Melissa Kirshner | 8 episodes |
Dream On | Kathleen | Episode: "The Second Greatest Story Ever Told" | |
1992 | Civil Wars | Norma Baker | Episode: "A Bus Named Desire" |
1993–1999 | The Nanny | Fran Fine | Lead role, 146 episodes plus special Nominated – American Comedy Award for Funniest Female Performer in a Television Series Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy (1996–1997) Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (1996–1997) Nominated – Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy |
1995 | Space Ghost Coast to Coast | Herself | Episode: Girlie Show |
2003 | Good Morning, Miami | Roberta Diaz | 3 episodes |
The Restaurant | Herself | 1 episode | |
2004 | Strong Medicine | Irene Slater | Episode: "Cinderella in Scrubs" |
2005–2006 | Living with Fran | Fran Reeves | Lead role, 26 episodes |
2005 | What I Like About You | Fran Reeves | Episode: "Girls Gone Wild" |
2006 | The Simpsons | The Female Golem | Episode: "Treehouse of Horror XVII" |
Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Elaine Dockerty | Episode: " The War at Home "
| |
2007 | Thank God You're Here | Herself/Ms. Bumblebee | |
SeeMore's Playhouse | Herself | ||
2008 | Live from Lincoln Center | Morgan Le Fay | Episode: "Camelot" |
Entourage | Mrs. Levine | Episode: "The All Out Fall Out" | |
2010 | Glenn Martin, DDS | Arlene Stein | Episode: "Dad News Bears" |
The Fran Drescher Show | Host | 16 episodes | |
2011–2013 | Happily Divorced | Fran Lovett | Lead role, 34 episodes |
2015 | Hell's Kitchen | Herself | Episode: "8 Chefs Compete Again" |
2017 | Broad City | Beverly Baumgarten | Episode: "Florida" |
2018 | Alone Together | Mary | Episode: "Mom" |
2019 | Welcome to the Wayne | Barbara Wasserman (voice) | Episode: "Welcome to the Wassermans" |
2020 | Indebted
|
Debbie | Main role, 12 episodes |
The Christmas Setup | Kate | TV movie | |
2022 | Mr. Mayor | Angelica Masters | Episode: "Trampage" |
2023 | Secrets of the Morning | Agnes Morris | Television film |
Theater
Year | Title | Role | Venue |
---|---|---|---|
2006 | Some Girl(s) | Lindsay | Lucille Lortel Theatre |
2008 | Camelot | Morgan le Fay | Avery Fisher Hall |
2010 | Love, Loss, and What I Wore | Performer | Westside Theatre |
2014 | Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella | Madame | Broadway Theatre |
2015 | Ahmanson Theatre |
Books
Year | Title | Publisher | ISBN | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1996 | Enter Whining | Regan Books | ISBN 0060391553
|
Memoir |
2002 | Cancer Schmancer | Grand Central Publishing | ISBN 0759527695
| |
2011 | Being Wendy | Grosset & Dunlap | ISBN 0448456885
|
with Amy Blay |
References
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (August 23, 2013). "Fran Drescher Comedy 'Happily Divorced' Canceled at TV Land". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 11, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
- ^ a b Rosky, Nicole (December 9, 2013). "Fran Drescher to Make Broadway Debut as 'Madame' in CINDERELLA in February; Harriet Harris to Depart on 2/3". Broadway World. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ Maddaus, Gene (September 2, 2021). "Fran Drescher Elected President of SAG-AFTRA, Rival Joely Fisher Wins Secretary-Treasurer". Variety. Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
- ^ a b "SAG-AFTRA Members Elect Fran Drescher President of Union and Joely Fisher as Secretary-Treasurer". sagaftra.org. September 2, 2021. Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
- ^ a b PBS News Hour, July 13, 2023 'Screen Actors Guild president Fran Drescher announces unanimous vote to go on strike' https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/screen-actors-guild-to-vote-on-strike-after-contract-deadline-passes-without-a-deal Archived July 16, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Fran Drescher". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on May 5, 2019. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
- ^ Firestone, David (September 18, 1994). "For Queens, a Place in the Sun; Hollywood Is Suddenly Zooming In, With a Vengeance". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 26, 2015. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
Ms. Drescher, who actually comes from Kew Gardens Hills, may be the most deliberately colorful of the lot, but she is hardly alone in celebrating the showbiz ascendancy of her native land.
- ^ a b "Dădaca Fran: "Eu sunt din România!"". Evenimentul Zilei (in Romanian). October 1, 2008. Archived from the original on March 5, 2014.
- ^ Fran Drescher. "Raising Global Awareness of Women's Health Issues". Archived from the original on July 22, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
- ^ a b Moore, Julia (April 2, 2024). "Fran Drescher Says Her 'Tears Come Often' as She Continues to Mourn Death of Her Father Morty". People. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ISBN 978-0-06-039155-3. Archivedfrom the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
- ^ A&E Networks. Archived from the originalon November 28, 2011.
While attending Parsons Junior High, Drescher realized she was interested in acting. At Hillcrest High School (where she shared several classes with comedian and fellow student Ray Romano), Drescher joined the drama club. There she met and began dating classmate Peter Marc Jacobson... After graduating in 1975...
- ^ Rhoades, Liz (May 31, 2007). "Two Schools To Replace Parsons Junior High". Queens Chronicle. Queens, New York City. Archived from the original on May 5, 2019. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
- ^ Meisler, Andy (December 18, 1994). "Television; Mary Poppins She's Not". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 27, 2014. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
After she graduated from Hillcrest High School in Queens, where she met Mr. Jacobson, the two of them moved to Los Angeles and were married.
- ^ Gliatto, Tom; Tomashoff, Craig (October 14, 1996). "Home Truths". People. Archived from the original on May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
While a student at Hillcrest High (where The Nanny's Fran Drescher was a classmate), he performed in a comedy troupe at church.
- ^ "The Nanny (1993–1999) : The Reunion Show". IMDb. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
- ISSN 0034-2106.
- ^ "Law & Order: Criminal Intent – Season 6, Episode 8: The War at Home". TV.com. November 14, 2006. Archived from the original on May 17, 2009. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
- ^ a b Gordon, Julie (May 22, 2008). "BUZZ: Rosie O'Donnell, Fran Drescher combine for TV's whiniest sitcom?". Newsday. Archived from the original on October 13, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
- ^ Albiniak, Paige (November 29, 2011). "Audiences Still Love The Nanny". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
- ^ Albiniak, Paige (December 21, 2011). "Syndies Flat as Holiday Season Revs Up". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on April 3, 2011. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
- ^ Sarah Anne Hughes (June 14, 2011). "Fran Drescher talks being 'Happily Divorced' from gay ex-husband". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
- ^ "ULC Minister Fran Drescher to Officiate Gay Wedding – Universal Life Church Monastery Blog". Themonastery.org. March 5, 2012. Archived from the original on July 3, 2016. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
- ^ "Fran Drescher to Marry Three Gay Couples in New York City on... – NEW YORK, Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –". Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2012.
- ^ "Fran Drescher to Reprise Role in CINDERELLA at the Ahmanson This Month". Broadway World. March 9, 2015. Archived from the original on April 23, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ "Fran Drescher makes Broadway debut in 'Cinderella'". The Star-Ledger. February 14, 2014. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
- ^ Meyer, Dan (January 8, 2020). "Fran Drescher Working on The Nanny Musical; Rachel Bloom and Adam Schlesinger to Pen Score". Playbill. Archived from the original on January 9, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ Robb, David (August 5, 2021). "Tom Hanks Endorses Fran Drescher For President Of SAG-AFTRA". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 8, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
- ^ Sakoui, Anousha (June 5, 2023). "SAG-AFTRA members approve strike authorization by overwhelming margin". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 5, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
- ^ "A.I. Protections Remain the Sticking Point". SAG-AFTRA. July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- ^ Hayden, Erik (July 25, 2024). "SAG-AFTRA Calls Strike Against Major Video Game Studios". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- ^ Maas, Jennifer (July 25, 2024). "SAG-AFTRA Calls Strike Against Major Video Game Publishers". Variety. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- ^ "Video game voice actor members of SAG-AFTRA go on strike over lack of AI protections for union". WSB-TV. July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- ^ Valentine, Rebekah (July 26, 2024). "What the SAG-AFTRA Video Game Actors Strike Means for Gamers". IGN. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- ^ Happily Divorced: Season 1 (DVD). March 6, 2012. Archived from the original on December 12, 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
YouTube title:Extended Interview with Fran Drescher and Peter Marc Jacobson
- ^ Shewfelt, Raechal (January 23, 2020). "Fran Drescher Says Gay Ex-Husband and 'Friend with Benefits' Keep Her Happy: 'I'm Not Dating'". Yahoo!Life. Archived from the original on April 16, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ a b "LARRY KING LIVE Interview with Fran Drescher". CNN. May 6, 2002. Archived from the original on October 15, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2009.
- ^ Thomas, Devon (June 3, 2010). "Fran Drescher's Ex-Husband Peter Marc Jacobson Is Gay, Shows Support". CBSNews Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 5, 2010. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ Toussaint, David (June 1, 2011). "Modern Family: Peter Marc Jacobson on Success, Sexuality, and Being in Love with Fran Drescher". GuySpy. Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ Fitzharris, Dustin (July 7, 2011). "Fran Drescher on Dating After Divorce". ABC News. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ Saad, Nardine (September 8, 2014). "Fran Drescher of 'The Nanny' marries Shiva Ayyadurai". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
- ^ Gabrielle, Olya (September 9, 2014). "Fran Drescher Marries Shiva Ayyadurai". People. Archived from the original on June 15, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
- ^ Vulpo, Mike (September 7, 2014). "Fran Drescher Marries Boyfriend Shiva Ayyadurai, aka the Inventor of Email?!". E!. Archived from the original on May 29, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
- ^ Kumar, Vipin (November 25, 2014). "Interview with Dr. V.A. Shiva Ayyadurai, The Inventor of Email and Systems Scientist". Tamil Nadu.[permanent dead link ]
- ^ "About Dr. V.A. Shiva Ayyadurai – V.A. Shiva Ayyadurai, Inventor of Email". VA Shiva. V.A. Shiva Ayyadurai. Archived from the original on June 17, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
- ^ "Actress Fran Drescher splits from husband". Komonews.com. World Entertainment News Network. September 4, 2016. Archived from the original on August 2, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
- ^ Drescher, Fran (September 4, 2016). "Instagram photo by Fran Drescher • Sep 4, 2016 at 12:49 am UTC". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
- ^ "Welcome". Cancer Schmancer. Archived from the original on February 15, 2013. Retrieved 2016-11-07.
- ^ "U.S. Public Diplomacy Envoy Fran Drescher Raises Awareness of Women's Cancer During Visit to Budapest". Archived from the original on October 16, 2011. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
- ^ "'Nanny' state? Drescher eyes Clinton's Senate seat". Yahoo News. December 9, 2008. Archived from the original on December 11, 2008. Retrieved January 7, 2009.
- ^ Alex Dobuzinskis (December 9, 2008). "Fran Drescher looks to graduate from "Nanny" to U.S. Senate". Reuters Blogs. Archived from the original on July 25, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2009.
- ^ "Fran Drescher on Working with Obama". Hulu.com. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
- ^ "How to Be More Fabulously Radical in 2017, According to Fran Drescher". June 8, 2017. Archived from the original on June 10, 2017. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
- ^ Sippell, Margeaux (2018-11-02). "Friends of the Israel Defense Forces Gala Raises Record $60 Million for Soldiers". Variety. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
- ^ Maddaus, Gene (February 9, 2023). "SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher on Contract Talks, the Case Against Alec Baldwin and Her Views on COVID Vaccines". Variety. Archived from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
- ^ "PHOTOS: James Franco, Idina Menzel, and Fran Drescher Get Into the Easter Bonnet Competition / Queerty". Queerty.com. April 28, 2014. Archived from the original on October 21, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
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- ^ "So war der 'Dancer Against Cancer'-Ball". April 12, 2010. Archived from the original on July 11, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
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