Tribute written by Susan Wagner

Andrea Eastman was a humanitarian. She was also my friend. 

She passed away exactly one week ago at the age of 86. What an incredible life she lived and what a tremendous difference she made!

Andrea’s amazing career in film and television as a high-powered agent to the stars and as a casting director for many wonderful films, including The Godfather, is legendary. 

I did not become friends with Andrea because of her career in show business. I met her 30 years ago and quickly learned that she was as determined to end horse slaughter as I was. Also, like me, she had rescued horses from that horrific fate and was extremely active in exposing the cruelty involved in the Pregnant Mares’ Urine (PMU) industry in Canada. In 1996, a mutual friend introduced us. My organization, Equine Advocates, was brand new and we did not have much of a budget at that time. It wasn’t long before Andrea, along with some of her friends, organized two fundraisers at a magnificent estate in Bedford, NY to benefit several equine rescue organizations, including mine. She liked to help organizations that saved horses, and even though ours was very young, she believed in our mission. I cannot tell you how encouraging that was, especially at that time.

Two years later, in 1998, Andrea Eastman helped to make history for horses!

My good friend and mentor, Cathleen Doyle, then President of the California Equine Council, was spearheading the “Save the Horses” campaign to pass the first state initiative ever to ban horse slaughter. There were many celebrities on board supporting the initiative, known as “Proposition 6,” but Cathleen really wanted Robert Redford to sign the official Voter Card. She just had to find a way to reach him.

“I was very focused that Prop. 6 Save the Horses was representing ‘The Horse’ and therefore only the very best would do,” said Cathleen. “When I approached Andrea Eastman, who was a good friend of Robert Redford, it was in the spirit of attaching an artist and actor of peer stature, integrity, and passion to our beloved horses. Andrea did ask, and Robert Redford did speak for the horses, and the combination made legislative history, winning by mandate in the State of California.”

In 2014, at our annual gala, we honored Andrea Eastman with a Special Achievement Award for “a lifetime of dedication to the protection and humane treatment of horses,” including her role in the passage of Prop 6. In our Gala Program, I was thrilled to print a quote I received from Robert Redford as he recounted how Andrea got him to become involved in the passage of that historic legislation.

Said Redford, “When Andrea brought me the Voter Card in 1998, which would ban the slaughter of horses in California, I immediately signed on the dotted line because I knew if Andrea was behind it, then it was solid, worthy and most likely ground-breaking. And it was.”

Andrea is the only individual whom our organization has honored twice. The second time was in 2020 during the height of COVID. We held a Virtual Gala hosted by the great Bebe Neuwirth that was shown live on social media. We honored her and Willie Nelson – both for their individual rescue efforts and work to end horse slaughter. Her dearest friend, iconic actress and one of Hollywood’s greatest stars, Ali MacGraw, introduced her with these moving words: “I’m so happy to be chosen to present the Equine Savior Award to my longtime friend, Andrea Eastman… The one enormous thing I always think about regarding her accomplishments, which are many, is her ongoing consistent passion for the treatment of horses. Horses are the soul of Andrea…”

Andrea Eastman was a fighter. 

She was also incredibly unique! As successful as she was, she never hesitated to use her numerous connections in film, television, and the theater to help expose and bring about greater public awareness of the atrocities suffered by America’s wild and domestic equines. What I am saddest about is that the biggest dream that she shared with all of us in trying to ban horse slaughter is that it has not come true yet.  

I know Andrea would not want any of us to be discouraged, despite all of the setbacks, especially now. She would want us to keep on fighting and never give up. Her life and accomplishments will always be celebrated and remembered, but most importantly, she would want us to remain focused, motivated, and inspired to get the job done.

And we will.

We shall never forget Andrea. We will continue to be inspired by her wild and wonderful spirit, her boundless energy, and her unwavering commitment to the people and animals she cared about and loved.

We sure are going to miss her!