Carlo Fiorletta is the president of the Guild of Italian American Actors, the only ethnic acting union in the United States. The GIAA may not be as big as SAG-AFTRA or Actors’ Equity—although GIAA members automatically qualify for the latter—but Fiorletta is just as dedicated to protecting the actors he works with, represented by his union since the 1930s.
Tell us about the GIAA. It started as a union for people who came in from Italy, who did Italian-language plays and opera and the like. When other acting unions started, [GIAA] organized to make sure people got a fair wage. I came into the group in 1994 and I moved up. I had theater connections, so we could keep one foot in the theater world rather than just focus on film work, which is something we had been doing.
How many members do you have? We have about 100 members. I’m often chasing people down for dues. [Laughs.] We’re tiny compared to Actors’ Equity or the Variety Artists union; it’s a niche market. Once you join, you’re never really out. If members are sick or hurt, we can make arrangements. I always say that “Godfather” quote with a smile: “Once you’re in, you’re never out.” The size
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