Morgan Fairchild & Anne-Marie Johnson Honored as 2016 Ralph Morgan Award Recipients

SAG-AFTRA has named performers Morgan Fairchild and Anne-Marie Johnson as the recipients of the 2016 Ralph Morgan Award, the SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Local's highest honor. The award will be presented on Sunday, March 6, at the annual Los Angeles Local membership meeting at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City.

"I am delighted with the Honors and Tributes Committee's recognition of both Anne-Marie Johnson and Morgan Fairchild as recipients of the 2016 Ralph Morgan Award," said SAG-AFTRA Secretary-Treasurer and L.A. Local President Jane Austin. "Both of these accomplished women embody the award's spirit of self-sacrifice through their countless hours of committee and board service for both SAG and AFTRA. Additionally, these women have made significant contributions outside the boardroom for the betterment of all performers and have worked tirelessly on numerous social issues."

Presenting the award will be SAG-AFTRA National and L.A. Local Board member Jenny O'Hara, who serves as the Honors and Tributes Committee Chair. "We are delighted to honor these two remarkable women who have given unstintingly to their fellow members through years of service on SAG-AFTRA's National and Local boards and numerous union committees, and through their efforts within the larger community," said O'Hara.

Established in 1981 and named in honor of the first president of Screen Actors Guild, the Ralph Morgan Award salutes SAG-AFTRA members and/or union staff for their devotion to serving members.

SAG-AFTRA members and members of the media are invited to attend the Ralph Morgan presentation at the annual SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Local Membership Meeting on Sunday, March 6 at the Sportsmen's Lodge, 12833 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604. A member mixer takes place from 11 a.m. to noon, with the membership meeting to follow from noon to 3 p.m. The membership meeting is only open to SAG-AFTRA L.A. Local members in good standing. Members are required to bring their membership card (paid through April 30, 2016).

ABOUT MORGAN FAIRCHILD Morgan Fairchild is a performer, but there's more to this talented actor than meets the eye. With a career that spans 53 years on stage, screen and film, the Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor has made a name for herself as an activist who supports AIDS research, women's rights and the environment. Fairchild served nine years on the National Board of Screen Actors Guild and served seven years on AFTRA's Hollywood board. She has served on numerous committees, including Merger Taskforce, Legislative, TV/Theatrical Negotiations, SAGindie, Commercials Performers W&W and Negotiations, and Women's committees. Fairchild has given legislative testimony and has spoken before Congress on behalf of performers' rights while serving on the union's board.

Fairchild was one of the original members of the Hollywood Women's Political Committee and helped found the Environmental Communications Office, which encouraged entertainment industry professionals to become better educated and more active on environmental issues. At a time when it was controversial, Fairchild was the first celebrity AIDS activist and starred in an informational video, Safe Sex for Men and Women, about AIDS education and prevention, with part of the proceeds dedicated to the American Foundation for AIDS Research. Fairchild's other public service efforts have included leading pro-choice marches and rallies, and participating in several events to save the California deserts. She has also worked with Make-a-Wish Foundation and speaks on women's heart disease and stroke prevention.

Fairchild's career is extensive, with work ranging from feature films (One Night in Doom House, Wiener Dog Internationals, Perfect on Paper, Scales) to series regular television roles (Flamingo Road, Paper Dolls, Falcon Crest, Fashion House), to authoring a beauty book (Super Looks). Out of the limelight, Fairchild is a collector of movie memorabilia (particularly Marilyn Monroe items) and antique clothing.

ABOUT ANNE-MARIE JOHNSON Anne-Marie Johnson was active for more than 15 years as a Screen Actors Guild National Board member and officer. For four years, she served as a senior advisor to the president and has completed four terms as a first vice president. Johnson also served as an AFTRA National Board member from 2009 to 2012. As a former national chair of the Ethnic Employment Opportunity Committee and a member of SAG's Affirmative Action/Diversity Task Force, Johnson helped create and implement programs for the union and the industry at large in the area of affirmative action and diversity. Co-created by SAG's Affirmative Action/Diversity department in association with USC Associate Professor Darnell Hunt and Johnson, The African American Television Report detailed studies concerning African-American performers on primetime network television. Johnson has also been active in television and theatrical contracts negotiations while serving on the TV/Theatrical W&W and Negotiations Committee.

A Los Angeles native and UCLA graduate, Johnson continues to have a very busy career on television, major motion pictures, production and serving her community. Johnson starred in several successful television series (In the Heat of the Night, What's Happening Now, In Living Color, Melrose Place, JAG) and has guest starred in multiple hit shows, including Leverage, Fairly Legal, NCIS, Murder in the First, CHASING LIFE and Pretty Little Liars. Beginning in April 2016, she will be appearing as a guest star in Comedy Central's Childrens Hospital. Johnson's feature film credits include Hollywood Shuffle, Strictly Business, I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, Robotjox,True Identity, Down in the Delta, L.A. Riots Spectacular and Fifty Nothing.

Johnson is happily married to her husband of 20 years, writer and actor, Martin Grey, and is the proud daughter of retired schoolteacher Ann C. Johnson (deceased 2005), and retired Los Angeles Police Sergeant Joseph P. Johnson (deceased 1987).

About SAG-AFTRA SAG-AFTRA represents more than 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcaster journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. With national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide, SAG-AFTRA members work together to secure the strongest protections for media artists into the 21st century and beyond.

Photo credit: Keith Munyan

To post a comment, you must register and login.