American Rights at Work honors this celebrated actor and progressive activist for his commitment to advocating for the rights of performers and workers everywhere.

From his turn as a scheming 1950s police captain in "L.A. Confidential" and his eerie portrayal of George H.W. Bush in "W," to his memorable role as Babe's best friend, James Cromwell has proven there's no part he can’t play. Equally powerful and inspiring is the Oscar, Emmy, and SAG Award nominated actor's work off screen as a progressive, workers' rights advocate.

Cromwell has deep roots in both acting and social justice. As a young man, he became active in a number of political and social causes, including the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee. His father, John Cromwell, was an accomplished director and actor who became one of the first presidents of the Director's Guild.

In 2003, Cromwell became Secretary-Treasurer of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), where he helped lead the union's efforts to improve health coverage, working conditions, and pension provisions for actors. He additionally is a past previous board member of SAG and he currently serves on the Los Angles Local Board of Directors of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA).

Cromwell's outspoken support for workers goes well beyond his leadership positions in his own unions and the limits of his industry. The actor advocated for the freedom to form unions and the Employee Free Choice Act alongside 46 other performers in a video in 2009. He has stood in solidarity with entertainment workers, picketed with film crews fighting to correct hazardous working conditions, and backed lyricists and composers' attempts to form unions for equitable treatment.

The actor has also stood with grocery and retail workers in their struggle to protect and secure middle class careers. Cromwell picketed alongside striking California grocery employees as they demanded a fair contract, and appeared in parody commercials critiquing Walmart's labor practices to promote Brave New Films' documentary.