FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Thursday, July 21, 2005

MELISSA GILBERT NOT RUNNING FOR A THIRD TERM AS PRESIDENT OF SCREEN ACTORS GUILD

After serving two terms as President of Screen Actors Guild, actress Melissa Gilbert has officially announced on July 21, 2005 that she will not run for a third term. In a statement Gilbert says:

“After much thought and discussion with my family, close friends and supporters I have decided that I will not be seeking a third term as President of Screen Actors Guild. The past four years have been remarkable, at times frustrating but incredibly rewarding. I leave office with once in a lifetime experiences and lifelong friends. My respect for the staff of SAG as well as my leadership team knows no bounds and I will look back on my time spent with them with deep fondness and no regrets.

It is no big secret that there are problems within the leadership of SAG. There are rifts that may very well be irreparable. All of that aside, I still believe that Screen Actors Guild was, is and will always be the most powerful performer's union in the world and I want the future leaders of my beloved union to know that I will be watching them…Like a hawk.

Finally, I must thank my family for their love, support and sacrifice these past four years. My husband and my sons are more than just the wind beneath my wings, they are my wings.”

In November 2001, Gilbert became the 23 rd President of Screen Actors Guild and is only the third female president in SAG's history, preceded only by Kathleen Nolan (1975-1979) and Patty Duke (1985-1988). Among her many accomplishments as President, Gilbert led the Guild to achieve unparalled gains in the Commercial Contract with an unprecedented increase to the Guild Health and Pension plans; Successfully led negotiations to create 200 million dollars in gains for performers over the life of the current TV/Theatrical Contract also with tremendous benefits to the Guilds Health and Pension plans; Strengthened the Guild's ties with the Labor movement on a national level; Worked to pass federal tax incentive legislation for films and television to combat runaway production and helped to pass similar legislation in many states across the country; Created stronger protections and gains in the California state child labor law; Passed a child labor law in NY State; Created local legislation in Los Angeles with criminal penalties for those who try to scam background performers; Initiated diversity casting workshops with major networks and increased member services available through the web.

Gilbert remains on the Executive Council of the AFL-CIO, Vice President of the California State Federation of Labor, and is a member of the California State Film Commission.

Gilbert has successfully transitioned from a child actor to an award-winning adult actor, director and producer. Some of her credits include “The Miracle Worker,” “The Diary of Anne Frank,” “Splendor in the Grass,” “Hollywood Wives, The Next Generation” “Choices of the Heart,” “Without Her Consent” and “Joshua's Heart.”

Contacts: Ame Van Iden / Cara Tripicchio - Wolf-Kasteler-Van Iden & Associates (310) 205-0618