The Extraordinary Evolution of Fran Drescher: From Beloved Nanny to Esteemed SAG-AFTRA President

Fran Drescher's career has significantly progressed since her portrayal of the sassy character from Flushing in "The Nanny." She gained prominence with her breakout role as Connie in 1977's "Saturday Night Fever," where she had a short but memorable scene alongside John Travolta. Following this, Drescher went on to secure lead roles in noteworthy films such as "American Hot Wax," "The Hollywood Knights," "Ragtime," and "This Is Spinal Tap."

Drescher and her then-husband Peter Marc Jacobson co-created the popular sitcom "The Nanny" after achieving success in the film industry. The show, which ran for six seasons, featured Drescher as the main character Fran Fine, a nanny who embarked on a career in childcare following a difficult breakup.

When asked about the enduring appeal of "The Nanny," Drescher emphasized the importance of looking beyond external appearances and focusing on what truly matters - a person's heart. She believes that this message is especially relevant in today's world. Additionally, she stressed the significance of treating children with respect, valuing diversity, and practicing kindness and compassion every day. These principles, according to Drescher, are fundamental to our purpose on this earth.

The Nanny concluded in 1999, almost two decades prior to Drescher's successful campaign for the presidency of the SAG-AFTRA union. In September 2021, Drescher emerged triumphant and has been advocating for equality in the industry, particularly during the actor's strike in July 2023. Explore Drescher's life through the years with the photo gallery below.

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Fran Drescher Through the Years: From 'The Nanny' to SAG-AFTRA President

Fran Drescher has come a long way since playing the “flashy girl from Flushing” on The Nanny.

Drescher's breakthrough role came in 1977's Saturday Night Fever, where she played the supporting character Connie and had a brief interaction with leading man John Travolta. Despite her limited screen time, Drescher quickly secured leading roles in films like American Hot Wax, The Hollywood Knights, Ragtime, and This Is Spinal Tap.

Drescher then transitioned to television, co-creating the CBS sitcom The Nanny with her then-husband Peter Marc Jacobson. The show, which ran for six seasons, followed Drescher's character Fran Fine, a nanny who embarked on a new career in childcare after a difficult breakup.

"It's not about your appearance or your accent, but about what's inside your heart that truly matters. And I believe that this message holds even greater significance in today's world," she told We exclusively in April 2022, referring to the core messages and enduring fan base of The Nanny. "Treating children with respect and recognizing their humanity, without speaking down to them, is crucial. Practicing tolerance towards those who are different from us is a daily commitment. Making kindness and compassion our guiding principles is not only essential but also the purpose of our existence on this planet."

The Nanny concluded in 1999, nearly two decades before Drescher successfully ran for the presidency of the SAG-AFTRA union in September 2021. Since then, she has been a strong advocate for equality in the industry, particularly during the actor's strike in July 2023.

Scroll below to see Drescher’s life in photos through the years:

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1970s

Drescher kicked off her career with roles in Saturday Night Fever and American Hot Wax.

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1978

The actress and Jacobson were high school sweethearts, ultimately getting married amid her early career success.

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1993

Drescher and Jacobson co-conceived The Nanny, which ran for six seasons on CBS. While he stayed behind the scenes, Drescher lead the cast as the fashion-savvy Fran Fine.

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1999

The couple ultimately split in 1996 and their divorce was eventually concluded in 1999, following Jacobson's public revelation about being gay.

"He is now officially my ex-husband, who happens to be gay. We first met at the age of 15 and together, we brought The Nanny to life. It was like my own child. We had a remarkable partnership in terms of writing and producing," she shared with Fox News in 2019. "And now, we have the strongest friendship. In fact, my parents continue to embrace him as part of our family."

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1999

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2000

One year after The Nanny concluded, Drescher faced a distressing diagnosis of uterine cancer at the age of 44. Undergoing a comprehensive hysterectomy provided her with a clean bill of health, and she has remained cancer-free ever since. The challenges Drescher endured in terms of her health acted as a catalyst for the establishment of her Cancer Schmancer foundation. This organization is fully devoted to the crucial causes of cancer prevention and the early detection of diverse types of cancers.

Credit: YouTube

2005

After a five-year hiatus from television, Drescher made a comeback on USA Network's Living With Fran, alongside Misti Traya, Ryan McPartlin, and Ben Feldman. This two-season sitcom revolves around Fran Reeves (played by Drescher), a recently-divorced woman who finds love with a younger man. Additionally, Living With Fran brings together the cast of The Nanny once again, with Shaughnessy making a special appearance as Drescher's ex-husband.

Credit: Kristina Bumphrey/Starpix/Shutterstock

2014

Following a successful career in television and movies, Drescher went on to conquer Broadway. She showcased her talent on the renowned stage in Roger & Hammerstein's Cinderella, portraying the nefarious stepmother to Carly Rae Jepsen's portrayal of Cinderella.

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2023

Drescher faced intense scrutiny during her two-year presidency at SAG-AFTRA due to Shannen Doherty and other actors expressing their discontent with the union's health insurance benefits.

“@Officialfrandrescher, I have a question for individuals like me who have been working since a young age and have diligently contributed to @sagaftra. What happens when we are unable to work due to health reasons? It seems like our union abandons us,” Doherty, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2020, expressed on Instagram in March 2023. “I believe we can improve the support for all our members, and I believe you are the right person to lead this effort.”

Doherty continued to voice her concerns: “Health insurance should not be determined solely by annual income. It should be a lifelong investment. Many of us have consistently paid dues throughout our lives, only to have our coverage terminated because we do not meet the current criteria. This is unacceptable.”

Drescher refrained from commenting on the recent drama, which took place months before SAG-AFTRA sanctioned a strike due to a failure to reach an agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) during contract negotiations.

During a press conference at the time, Drescher expressed the significance of the situation, stating, "This is a pivotal moment for us. I had hoped to avoid a strike, but the gravity of this decision is not lost on me. It has far-reaching consequences for thousands, if not millions, of individuals across the country and around the world. This not only affects union members but also those employed in industries that provide services to the entertainment industry... We had no alternative. We are the ones being victimized by the greed of a powerful entity."

Drescher and her fellow union members were fighting over fair wages, especially in regard to residual paychecks, the use of artificial intelligence in media and more issues.