Michael Jeffers

Biography

Michael Jeffers may be relatively unknown although he will forever go down as a small note in Hollywood history as the president of the Screen Extras Guild who halted production of movies for a 24 hour period in 1945 in protest because stuntmen and bit part actors were getting extra work however extras were not obtaining bit part or stunt work. He also led a further protest in 1946. While acting as the bargaining agent for the SEG he was a thorn in the side of the Screen Actors Guild. After being informed that people affiliated with the Screen Extras Guild had restricted voting rights Jeffers sued in a attempt to be able to vote on such matters. As a result of this action, he received little work because a letter was sent around hinting he had communist ties and that he was trying to drive a wedge in the Screen Extras Guild. He fought in court from 1950 to 1958 trying to restore his name so he could receive more work and recover damages for wages he lost as result of the letter. He later went on to appear in scores of westerns in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, eventually accumulating over 600 credits.