SAG President Ken Howard Dead at 71

— -- Ken Howard, the current president of SAG-AFTRA, has died at his home in the Los Angeles area, a press release from the organization has confirmed. He was 71 years old.

Elected to be president of the Screen Actor's Guild in 2009, he later became president of SAG-AFTRA when the Guild merged with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists a few years ago.

But Howard, a California native, was more than a front-office man. He won an Emmy in 2009 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie and prior to that, was a Tony Award winner in 1970.

His work spans the decades, starting in the late 1960's and going through to last year when he appeared in the Oscar-nominated film "Joy," starring Jennifer Lawrence. He was also featured in movies like "Michael Clayton" and "The Judge."

"Howard was a hardworking actor, a wry and witty observer, and a fierce union leader," the release adds.

Howard is survived by his wife Linda Fetters Howard and three stepchildren from a previous marriage.