In an exclusive from Variety, it was announced that Emmy Award-winning actor Courtney B. Vance has been named the new president of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.

The Yale alum takes over the position from the former president and Poltergeist actress JoBeth Williams. Vance, known for his role as A.D.A Ron Carver on Law and Order: Criminal Intent, is intent on using his position to cater to the best interests of actors and actresses.

“There’s the union side to SAG-AFTRA, which handles the industry and negotiates health care and pensions. It is so necessary, but what happens to performers when they’re on the way up, or on the way down? Who is there for you?” Vance said in a statement to Variety. “When you start to hear about the cases of members in need, who have turned to our foundation and received this support, their lives change. And we want to keep changing lives.”

Vance, who won an Emmy for his portrayal of Johnnie Cochran in the FX miniseries The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, wants to use his platform to bring the SAG-AFTRA foundation to a level of prominence on par with the Recording Academy.

“Look at the Recording Academy and MusiCares. Everyone knows that MusiCares supports recording artists, and it does incredible work providing life support,” he said. “We’re moving to set that up, to help in all aspects of the performer’s life.”

READ MORE:

‘Reel It Back’: Courtney B. Vance Reacts To His Most Iconic Roles

Photo: Getty Images 

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