Exclusive: As national executive director of SAG-aftra, David White likely figured the top priority this year was landing a new deal with studios. That seems a long time ago. White was at ground-zero not only when the coronavirus pandemic shut Hollywood down but well before that. He saw the potential when the virus first began taking its toll in China where union members were working or heading, for jobs on film productions. In an exclusive interview, White describes how the guild has responded to the industry’s Covid-19 shutdown, and how it’s affected him personally while still dealing with the death of his wife, social activist Susan Watanabe, who died 19 months ago from brain cancer.
A Rhodes Scholar who serves as a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, White believes the industry will survive, but could be shut down for many months to come. “The industry,...
A Rhodes Scholar who serves as a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, White believes the industry will survive, but could be shut down for many months to come. “The industry,...
- 3/30/2020
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Television writer and activist Susan Elizabeth Watanabe, the wife of SAG-AFTRA National executive director David White, died Sunday of a brain tumor, her family announced. She was 49.
Watanabe was a native of Chicago who worked on the series “Girlfriends” and “One-on-One.” Watanabe and White were married in 2000. She supported progressive candidates and causes, new authors, young professionals and community groups. She was the inspiration for the founding of Susan’s Circle last year after she was diagnosed with the tumor.
SAG-aftra President Gabrielle Carteris said, “It is with deep sadness and regret, as well as joy and gratitude, that we mark the life and transition of Susan Watanabe, the extraordinary wife of David White. Susan was a warrior with a gentle soul. Among her many noteworthy contributions to humanity, Susan changed lives as a social worker, community activist and curious spirit whose keen insight ultimately led to a career as a television writer.
Watanabe was a native of Chicago who worked on the series “Girlfriends” and “One-on-One.” Watanabe and White were married in 2000. She supported progressive candidates and causes, new authors, young professionals and community groups. She was the inspiration for the founding of Susan’s Circle last year after she was diagnosed with the tumor.
SAG-aftra President Gabrielle Carteris said, “It is with deep sadness and regret, as well as joy and gratitude, that we mark the life and transition of Susan Watanabe, the extraordinary wife of David White. Susan was a warrior with a gentle soul. Among her many noteworthy contributions to humanity, Susan changed lives as a social worker, community activist and curious spirit whose keen insight ultimately led to a career as a television writer.
- 8/27/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Updated with additional information: Susan Watanabe, social activist, writer and wife of SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White, died August 26 from brain cancer. She was 49.
Watanabe was a writer on TV series in the early 2000s including Girlfriends and One On One. She was also well known for her support and fundraising for progressive candidates and causes, new authors, young professionals and community groups, according to the actors union, which announced her death.
She founded Susan Circle in April 2017, an organization that works with the Liberty Hill Foundation to identify and invest in leaders who have taken on the responsibility of public service and have inspired the participation of others. She also served as president of two Los Angeles neighborhood associations in the communities in which she and her husband lived.
Born on October 20, 1968 in Chicago, Watanabe attended Whitney M. Young Magnet High School and the University of Illinois.
Watanabe was a writer on TV series in the early 2000s including Girlfriends and One On One. She was also well known for her support and fundraising for progressive candidates and causes, new authors, young professionals and community groups, according to the actors union, which announced her death.
She founded Susan Circle in April 2017, an organization that works with the Liberty Hill Foundation to identify and invest in leaders who have taken on the responsibility of public service and have inspired the participation of others. She also served as president of two Los Angeles neighborhood associations in the communities in which she and her husband lived.
Born on October 20, 1968 in Chicago, Watanabe attended Whitney M. Young Magnet High School and the University of Illinois.
- 8/27/2018
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
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