Alan Rosenberg: “Tremendous Loss and Sadness”
Sent via e-mail today:
Message from Screen Actors Guild President Alan Rosenberg
Dear Members,
As we head into the long holiday weekend, I wanted to write to you today to acknowledge the tremendous loss and sadness our community has experienced in recent weeks with the passing of so many cultural icons in such a short amount of time.
The list of those we’ve lost is long, from Beatrice Arthur, Dom DeLuise, Natasha Richardson and Ron Silver, to the very recent deaths of David Carradine, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, Karl Malden, Fred Travalena, Gale Storm, Harve Presnell and others, these are people and personalities who created indelible characters and left a legacy that enriched all of our lives.
Screen Actors Guild is fortunate to have benefitted from the service and leadership of some of these members. David Carradine and Karl Malden, along with Frank Aletter and Jim Hutchison, who was a sitting Board member at the time of his death, gave of themselves to serve this union and are an example to not only myself but to all other members about the importance and significance of member service and leadership. We are a better union because of them.
Our deepest sympathies go out to their families. And to you and your family, please have a safe and happy 4th of July weekend. God bless our country and remember our troops.
In unity,
Alan Rosenberg
Good on you, Alan.
Some years ago when the Oscar telecast started doing the tribute video roll of the departed, it quickly became my favorite part of the whole telecast. They haven’t quite ruined it in years since, because it is really impossible to ruin it, but I wish they’d left it the way it was originally, without fanfare and without trying to edit it to give the more famous a bit more plug than the less famous. It had a bit more dignity before, and lord knows they all deserve that dignity as final tribute from their community.
I thought it was good form, just wished the “others” was a list..
There’s a kind of fella can make anything he says be about him — about the one talking, not the ones he’s talking about. Tied into the troops and America’s birthday like it was, seemed a little cynical to me. I expected apple pie served at the end, or at least a Mission Accomplished banner flying.
I’m as sorry as the next guy at this rash of passings, but the generous thing to do would have been to let the light shine on them, and them alone — unless you got other reasons for speaking up to begin with hiding behind those sorrowful words.
You’re right, Mal. Something was bothering me about this – - this – - what? Announcement? It’s all about HIM and the way HE “feels.”
Another phrase I’m getting a little sick of: “cultural icons.” Don’t you mean Famous Folks? Enough already. RIP
Another thing – Rosenberg singles out Jim Hutchison, who was a sitting Board member at the time of his death – wasn’t Jim – correct me if I’m wrong – being sued by Alan Rosenberg at the same time? How about the importance and significance of that? Does that make us a “better union?”
Tom, ya beat me to the point….yes, Jim was named in the GO4 lawsuit by Alan, AMJ et.al….dropping the lawsuit, Alan, would make us a better union. I hope enough members see through the Alan’s mask of sincerity for what he really is. Minimally, an opportunist…while on its surface, this statement seems in good form, but when you give it thought one realizes its more about image for Alan as he hopes for another presidential term in SAG.
it’s all about the elections and getting his name out there. he never sent these kinds of email/letters out before…
whatever…
God Bless those who have passed
And sometimes a cigar is just a cigar; enjoyable in the moment, but of no lasting significance one way or t’other. Enjoy the weekend and get back to pummeling Alan next week.
In light of these tacky comments (Alan’s letter was very appropriate) I’ve come to the conclusion that both sides in this fight are equally to blame. To turn a condolence letter into a political football is disrespectful to the actors that have died. I hope to God that people who are not in this fight and not members of or sympathizers with either party will run for all the offices in SAG.
Correct me if I’m wrong, (and I acknowledge the *deserved* cynicism), but isn’t Shecky legally enjoined from speaking on behalf of the Guild? This statement uses “SAG” and “our” enough to indicate he was speaking for SAG.
Which would be really admirable if it wasn’t so damned self-serving.
I agree here…and hope death takes a holiday as well. We’ve lost too many great talent and good people.
Cut the guy a little slack here. He cannot speak on behalf of the union, so whatever he says has to be technically “about him.” The fact that the statement comes off as phony and calculating is more sad than anything else.
As self-serving as the statement was, he really has never demonstrated any point of reference that isn’t his, so substituting a plea for sympathy instead of showing empathy shouldn’t come as a surprise at this late date.
On the bright side, he didn’t start by saying “It sucks to be me when somebody dies,” and we can all be thankful he didn’t sing again.
“working the contract” –
So it’s “very appropriate” and not “tacky” to offer condolence for a member of the National Board after you sued him while he was on his deathbed? Talk about disrespectful! I hope to God that this is the last we will ever have of this man sticking himself into the members’ view in the guise of “speaking for the guild.”
Also, wasn’t Alan Rosenberg the guy who got a deathbed endorsement from Charlton Heston;ironically, on the very day before Heston died from advanced stages of Alzheimer’s !!??
Anyone else remember this? I’ve never forgotten that “coincidence”.
I don’t think the deal is that Rosenberg can never speak on behalf of the Guild; it’s that he needs to clear what he’s going to say.
The irony of eulogizing someone he had just sued would probably be lost on him.
But on the whole, I agree with Fred.
VG
How mean spirited you all are! It’s enough that our legislators squabble along partisan lines every chance they get, but why is the same true in an industry which is comprised of creative and thinking individuals. Alan’s letter was anything but about “him”. It was about some incredible individuals who brought enjoyment to millions through their craft. Why turn a heartfelt sentiment into a personal attack. You should all hope that when you pass someone has a kind word to say about you!
And to those who say their sensitivities are offended by the partisan nature of these comments: WHERE YA BEEN FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS?
And now that Membership First has blown EVERY opportunity they had to do something of benefit for the guild – which they ruled with absolute power since 2005 – isn’t this about the time that they and their followers start to say; “Why-oh-why do we have to have partisan politics all the time? Why can’t we unite?”
Tell ya what….Let’s have the elections first, and THEN let’s unite – without partisan politics – behind the President and the National Board.
Betcha won’t.
Jim’s name was on the list. If the names of those being sued individually in AR’s lawsuit have been removed, then Hutchison’s name is no longer included. If they have NOT been officially removed, then it is likely that Jim is still being sued … even though he is no longer alive.
V.
That is exactly correct. Marisa. In a non-election year, this letter would not have been written.
Sometimes the truth hurts.
V.
I agree with both of you.
V.
“Working the Contract”: I tend to agree with the sentiment that Alan is simply using this as a little PR for himself. He has, unfortunately, shown that he does very little without some sort of agenda or ulterior motive. And his (and MF’s) agenda is usually not as altruistic as he (they) would like it to appear. Your concern is understandable but you’ll have to forgive us our cynicism. We learned the hard way the meaning of that old saying: “Things are seldom as they seem. Skim milk masquerades as cream”.
Well, look at it this way. A year ago at this time we were getting a message about how SAG had told the AMPTP to take their “final offer” and stick it where the sun don’t shine, and pledged to work for something acceptable. At least this year we have a TV-Theatrical contract.
Sending out a 4th of July message doesn’t seem out of order. Given recent events, the theme of this one was not surprising — indeed, it would have been surprising not to take note of our many recent losses. I just wish there had been some gesture toward healing the Guild and trying to work together as a union.
VG
Anybody seen Justine Bateman’s post-resignation letter at Nikke’s?
Wheee.
MF members seem to not be able to come to grips with the fact that the non-disparagement agreement was Doug and Allan’s handiwork, rather than something that was forced upon them by others. And with one hand they see the folly of not having merged with AFTRA, and on the other still refuse to do it. You can’t have it both ways, folks.