US actress Fran Drescher has caused a stir after urging Hollywood to use its influence to end a “bulls**t” Covid-19 vaccine mandate in a speech she gave at the 2023 Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards on Sunday.
The former star of The Nanny, who is president of SAG-AFTRA, has been a vocal opponent of the Covid vaccine throughout the pandemic.
“As the nation declares an end to the Covid emergency this May, I hope we will see everyone return to work in equal opportunity,” Drescher, 65, said in her speech during the SAG telecast, Page Six reports.
The industry’s pandemic protocols were originally set to end on January 31, but will now expire on April 1. Meanwhile, more than 20 US states still enforce vaccine mandates to varying degrees.
“Our industry brings billions of production dollars to states across the nation, but if they want our business, let’s wield our financial influence to make governors act in the best interest of freedom, diversity, inclusion and democracy,” Drescher said.
“As my character Bobbi Flekman said in This Is Spinal Tap – money talks and bulls**t walks!”
Her comments were met with some controversy on social media.
In her speech, the actress also discussed her efforts to help make Hollywood more environmentally friendly by joining with Green Council with a goal to eliminate single-use plastic on camera and behind the scenes.
She also applauded IMDb.com for “taking a stand AGAINST ageism, stereotyping and gender rigidity by allowing our members to define themselves their way on their profile page – for FREE.”
Drescher, who has been open about her health scare with uterine cancer, also congratulated her fellow Hollywood seniors who are on Medicare for being eligible for a free supplemental benefit.
Drescher was diagnosed with cancer in 2000, and underwent a hysterectomy at the time.
This story originally appeared on Page Six and is republished here with permission