Actress, activist, and president of SAG-AFTRA Fran Drescher has always been on a mission to help others. Now, she’s heading to the Hamptons this July for her Master Class Health Summit in support of her movement, Cancer Schmancer. She catches up on her Out East plans and life these days with us!
Fran! We are so excited to hear that you’re taking the Hamptons this summer. Tell us about what you’re doing here.
I’m presenting the Fran Drescher Master Class Health Summit in support of my Cancer Schmancer movement. This all-day event has been a life-changing and highly anticipated annual event in Los Angeles. But this year, after much urging by our members, many of whom are Hamptons residents, and supporters, we’ve decided to do a summer one in the Hamptons.
You’re a born and bred New Yorker. When was the last time you were in the Hamptons?
I have many friends with homes in the Hamptons, like Anne Hearst and Jay McInerney, as well as Beth DeWoody and Dr. Gerry Curatola, so I’ve been visiting this beautiful part of New York since the Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten, actually worked in the shop! But in recent years with COVID, elderly parents living in Florida, my own home on the beach in Malibu as well as an apartment in Manhattan, I’m long overdue to return and very much looking forward to bringing my passion and life mission of Cancer Schmancer and our health summit program to the Hamptons on July 29th.
What are some of your favorite memories from your time Out East?
Honestly, my life is so hectic, so relaxing with friends in the privacy of their homes is my idea of heaven. The beaches are gorgeous, great walking, and village shopping is fun, but since becoming National President of SAG-AFTRA, my best times are the quiet and private ones.
Understood! Cancer Schmancer has made such a major impact on people. For those who might be learning about it for the first time, tell us its mission.
As a survivor and a thriver for 23 years now, I’ve turned my pain into purpose and lemons into lemonade with my foundatio
n, Cancer Schmancer, and our commitment to educate, motivate, and activate people into taking control of their bodies, transform from patient into medical consumer, and live our Detox Your Home program because how you live equals how you feel.
What will the focus of this year’s summit be?
“Is Chronic Illness the New Plague?” We curate brilliant outside-the-box thinking medical doctors and authors to present a global view of health that is not only forward-thinking but also a whole new way of managing our health.
I watched you on The Nanny for my entire childhood and teenage years. Do you ever miss playing Fran Fine?
The show has never been off the air everywhere in the world since 1993, so actually I still feel connected to both the character and the series. Social media has given the series longevity, and now we’re on Max!
This Novem
ber marks the show’s 30th anniversary. What are some of your favorite memories during your time filming?
From day 1 we knew we caught lightening in a bottle. And for a kid from Queens to succeed in such a difficult industry is so rare that I have nothing but gratitude. Realizing my strengths as a writer/producer became extremely fulfilling—working with suc
h incredible writers and actors throughout the years was an absolute gift. And as a traveler to be loved by fans around the world to this day is a joy. But the best thing about The Nanny has been the doors it opens for me to be able to speak on the issues that matter most to me, like Cancer Schmancer’s Detox Your Home program.
Who do you keep in touch with from the cast?
I would have to say Renée Taylor and Charles Shaughnessy. But over the years I’ve talked to everyone many times, and I’m still close to Brenda Cooper, my award-winning costume designer on The Nanny, as well as writers Frank Lombardi and Caryn Lucas. But of course, I’m still partners with my writing/producing co-creator and best friend, my high school sweetheart and gay ex-husband Peter Marc Jacobson!
There were conv
os about a reunion show happening. Where’s that been left?
There are always things in the fire and possibilities for something to celebrate our 30th. But it’s now difficult to pursue anything while the WGA is on strike. Currently, I’m in the midst of a major contract negotiation for SAG-AFTRA in collective bargaining with the studios, so to be perfectly honest, I want to finish summer with a contract that I can be proud of!
When you come Out East, what else besides your event do you want to do here?
By the time I get to you, I will have been to D.C., Florida, L.A., Paris, then back to L.A., N.Y., Italy, L.A., and N.Y. again, so my answer is relax, spa, dine in that order!
This is our summer fashion issue of the magazine. Describe your personal style to us!
Style for me is not too trendy but a classic silhouette with a splash of sex appeal. I prefer solids to prints generally, and monochromatic to mixing colors. I think dressing to accentuate your assets helps to downplay what’s not your best feature, and with aging that too keeps changing.
You’ve done so much throughout your career, and that is an understatement. Is there anything that’s still on your bucket list?
I’ve always wanted to live in Europe. Currently, I’m living in a Parisian apt for 17 days and it’s been heaven! I love to go to the market and buy organic food that I can enjoy at home, as well as arranging flowers.
What a dream! Anything else you want us to know?
Be kind to yourself, as well as all beings and the earth. This is a daily practice. Reject anything grown on industrial farms or restaurants that support them. Remember, you are what you eat and you are what you are eating is eating! About 95 percent of chronic inflammation comes from lifestyle. “How You Live Equals How You Feel!” Love is love.
To learn more about Cancer Schmancer and how you can attend Fran’s Master Class Summit Out East, go to cancerschmancer.org.
