Fran Drescher facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fran Drescher
Drescher in 2018
3rd National President of SAG–AFTRA
Incumbent
Assumed office October 15, 2021
Preceded by	Gabrielle Carteris
Personal details
Born	Francine Joy Drescher (1957-09-30) September 30, 1957 (age 67) New York City, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Peter Marc Jacobson ​ ​ (m. 1978; div. 1999)​
Domestic partner	Shiva Ayyadurai (2014–2016)
Education	Queens College, CUNY (no degree)
Signature

Fran Drescher (born Francine Joy Drescher on September 30, 1957) is an American actress and a leader in a workers' union. She is best known for playing Fran Fine in the TV show The Nanny (1993–1999). She also helped create and produce this show with her former husband, Peter Marc Jacobson.

Currently, Fran Drescher is the national president of SAG-AFTRA. This is a big union for actors and other media professionals. She started this important role on October 15, 2021. She led the union during a major actors' strike in 2023.

Fran Drescher's Early Life and Education

Fran Drescher was born in Queens, New York City, on September 30, 1957. Her mom, Sylvia, was a bridal consultant, and her dad, Morty, worked with naval systems. Her family is Jewish and came from parts of Europe. She has an older sister named Nadine.

In 1973, Fran was the first runner-up for "Miss New York Teenager." She went to Parsons Junior High School and then Hillcrest High School in Jamaica, Queens. At Hillcrest, she met Peter Marc Jacobson, who would later become her husband. They got married in 1978 when she was 21. They later divorced in 1999. A famous comedian, Ray Romano, was also in her high school class.

Fran and Peter both went to Queens College, City University of New York. However, they left during their first year because they couldn't get into acting classes. After that, they decided to study cosmetology.

Fran Drescher's Acting Career

Starting Out in Films and TV

Fran Drescher's first acting job was a small part in the 1977 movie Saturday Night Fever. She played a dancer named Connie. The next year, she got more attention in films like American Hot Wax (1978) and Summer of Fear (1978). She also had a serious role in the 1981 film Ragtime.

During the 1980s, Fran became known for her funny roles. She appeared in movies such as Gorp (1980), The Hollywood Knights (1980), and Doctor Detroit (1983). She also had a memorable role as publicist Bobbi Flekman in This Is Spinal Tap (1984). Fran also made guest appearances on TV shows like Who's the Boss? and Night Court. In 1990, she was on ALF.

Becoming a Star with The Nanny

Fran Drescher in 1996

In 1993, Fran Drescher and Peter Marc Jacobson created their own TV show called The Nanny. The show was a huge hit and aired on CBS from 1993 to 1999. Fran quickly became a big star.

In The Nanny, she played Fran Fine, a woman who accidentally becomes a nanny for three kids. The kids were Margaret, Brighton, and Grace Sheffield. Their dad, Maxwell Sheffield, was a proper British Broadway producer. Fran's funny personality and charm helped her win over the family. For her role, she was nominated for two Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards.

After The Nanny, Fran also acted in movies like Jack (1996), directed by Francis Ford Coppola. She also starred in and produced The Beautician and the Beast (1997).

More TV Shows and Broadway

In the 2000s, Fran Drescher returned to television. She starred in the sitcom Living with Fran (2005–2006). In this show, she played a mom living with a much younger man. Her former Nanny co-star, Charles Shaughnessy, even appeared as her ex-husband.

She also had guest roles on shows like Law & Order: Criminal Intent and The Simpsons. In 2011, she created another sitcom with her ex-husband, Peter Marc Jacobson, called Happily Divorced. This show was on TV Land for three seasons.

In 2014, Fran made her Broadway debut. She played the stepmother Madame in the musical Cinderella. She also voiced the character Eunice in the animated Hotel Transylvania film series from 2012 to 2022. In 2020, she starred in the NBC sitcom Indebted.

Fran Drescher as a Union Leader

In 2021, Fran Drescher decided to run for president of SAG-AFTRA. This union represents actors and other media workers. She won the election and became president on October 15, 2021.

As president, Fran led the union during a big actors' strike in 2023. The strike lasted for five months and happened at the same time as a writers' strike. Fran helped the union reach a deal with the companies, which ended the strike. In 2024, she also announced a strike against major video game companies.

Fran Drescher's Personal Life

Fran Drescher met Peter Marc Jacobson when she was 15 years old. They were high school sweethearts and got married when she was 21. They divorced in 1999 but remained good friends and business partners. Fran has said that their love is "unique, rare, and unconditional."

Fran has also worked to support LGBT rights issues. She even became an ordained minister to perform same-sex weddings.

Her Journey with Cancer

Fran Drescher at a press conference for the Austrian charity Dancer Against Cancer, 2010

After having symptoms for two years, Fran Drescher was diagnosed with cancer in June 2000. She had an operation and was declared cancer-free. She did not need any further treatment.

The Cancer Schmancer Movement

On June 21, 2007, seven years after her operation, Fran Drescher started the Cancer Schmancer Movement. This is a non-profit organization. Its main goal is to make sure that all women's cancers are found early, in Stage 1. This is the stage where cancer is most curable.

Fran wants to see a future where more women survive cancer because of better healthcare and early detection. She has worked hard to speak up for healthcare in Washington D.C. Her efforts helped pass a law called Johanna's Law.

Fran Drescher's Politics and Charity Work

Fran Drescher and Goli Ameri in 2008

Fran Drescher is a member of the Democratic Party. In 2008, she was appointed as a U.S. diplomat. Her job was to raise awareness about women's health issues around the world. She visited countries like Romania, Hungary, Serbia, and Poland.

She supported Hillary Clinton for president in 2008 and Barack Obama in 2012. Fran has also done a lot of charity work. She has helped raise money for organizations like Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Awards and Recognition

Fran Drescher has received many awards for her work and her charity efforts. These include the John Wayne Institute's Woman of Achievement Award and the Gilda Award. In 2006, Senator Hillary Clinton presented her with the City of Hope Spirit of Life Award. In 2010, she received the "My Aid Award" for her work in cancer prevention.

Fran Drescher's Filmography

Movies

Television Shows

Theater Performances

Books Written by Fran Drescher

See Also

In Spanish: Fran Drescher para niños