In the dynamic intersection of entertainment and politics, a notable cadre of individuals has successfully navigated the transition from the glitz and glamour of the silver screen to the complexities of political arenas. These actors, once known for their compelling performances, chose to step into the public service spotlight. From iconic action heroes to beloved sitcom stars, this blog explores the intriguing journeys of 15 actors who seamlessly shifted roles, leaving a lasting impact both in Hollywood and the world of politics.
The List of 15 Actors Who Became Politicians
1. Cynthia Nixon
Nixon gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Miranda Hobbes in “Sex and The City,” a series where the vibrant city of New York practically takes on the role of a fifth, inseparable friend. In 2018, a remarkable 14 years post the show’s conclusion, Nixon pivoted to the political stage, declaring her candidacy for the Governor of New York.
As a Democratic contender, she centered her campaign on crucial issues such as income inequality, renewable energy, and the establishment of universal healthcare. Despite her formidable efforts, Nixon faced defeat in the Democratic primary, with the incumbent Andrew Cuomo securing the nomination.
2. Kal Penn
Kal Penn is widely recognized for his roles as Lawrence Kutner on “House” and as Kumar Patel in the “Harold & Kumar” film series.
In an unexpected turn of events in 2009, Penn departed from “House” to take on a role not anticipated on our bingo cards: working in the White House. He became the Principal Associate Director in the White House Office of Public Engagement under the administration of President Barack Obama. Despite a brief hiatus to film “A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas,” Penn continued his White House tenure until 2011 when he transitioned to star in “How I Met Your Mother.”
3. Al Franken
Franken earned three Emmy Awards for his contributions to “Saturday Night Live,” where he served as one of the original writers and performers. Additionally, he showcased his acting prowess in films such as “Trading Places” and “Stuart Saves His Family.”
Transitioning into the 2000s, Franken emerged as a prominent liberal political activist. In a notable political feat in 2008, he triumphed over incumbent Republican Senator Norm Coleman, securing a seat in the United States Senate as the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party nominee.
While successfully securing re-election in 2014, Franken’s political career took an unexpected turn in 2018. Faced with allegations of sexual misconduct, he chose to resign from his Senate seat.
4. Caitlyn Jenner
Olympian, “CHiPs” star, reality TV personality, and transgender rights activist—Caitlyn Jenner boasts a diverse and extensive resume. This year, she embarked on a new venture by launching a campaign for Governor of California in the 2021 gubernatorial recall election.
While pundits speculated about Jenner’s potential due to her widespread name recognition, her campaign encountered controversy when she expressed the view in an interview that transgender girls should not participate in girls’ sports at school, aligning with certain Republican Party perspectives on transgender individuals in sports.
In her gubernatorial bid, Jenner aims to unseat incumbent Governor Gavin Newsom.
5. Shirley Temple Black
Shirley Temple, the epitome of a child star, captivated Hollywood with her charming curls and sweet smile in beloved films like “Curly Top” and “Heidi.”
Beyond her cinematic career, Temple’s post-film life unfolded as a fascinating journey. In the late ’60s, she delved into politics by aligning herself with the Republican party. Although her attempt at a political career faced a setback in an unsuccessful special election bid for California’s 11th congressional district in 1967, Temple Black transitioned into foreign service.
Her remarkable diplomatic roles include serving as the first female Chief of Protocol of the United States, as well as holding esteemed positions as the United States Ambassador to Ghana and later to Czechoslovakia.
6. Sonny Bono
Sonny Bono, renowned for being one half of the iconic musical duo Sonny & Cher alongside his second wife Cher, achieved widespread fame through their acclaimed show, The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour.
Beyond his musical success, Bono pursued an acting career with notable roles in films such as “Airplane II: The Sequel” and “Hairspray.” He also made guest appearances on popular TV shows, including “The Golden Girls,” “Charlie’s Angels,” and “The Love Boat.”
Transitioning from entertainment to public service, Bono successfully ran for Mayor of Palm Springs, California in 1988, securing a four-year term. In 1994, he entered the political arena once again, winning a seat in the United States House of Representatives to represent California’s 44th congressional district. Bono continued his congressional service until his passing in 1998.
7. Jerry Springer
Jerry Springer, best recognized for his audacious talk show, “The Jerry Springer Show,” boasts a diverse career that extends beyond television hosting. A versatile actor, he has graced screens in notable productions like “Married… With Children,” “George Lopez,” and even took on the role of Billy Flynn in a production of “Chicago.”
However, prior to his entertainment ventures, Springer delved into politics, albeit facing an unsuccessful congressional run in 1970. Despite this setback, he rebounded by securing a position on the Cincinnati City Council in 1971. Despite a brief resignation in 1974 due to personal admissions, Springer made a comeback, winning re-election in 1975.
In contemplating higher political offices, Springer considered Senate runs in 2000 and 2004 but refrained due to his association with “The Jerry Springer Show.” Similarly, he opted out of the Ohio gubernatorial election in 2018, citing his age as a determining factor.
8. Stacey Dash
Stacey Dash rose to prominence for her portrayal of Dionne, Cher’s best friend in the teen classic “Clueless” and its spin-off series. Additionally, she gained attention for her role in Kanye West’s “All Falls Down” music video.
In a notable shift in 2012, Dash transitioned from supporting the Democratic Party to aligning herself with the Republican Party, evolving into a vocal pundit with a penchant for expressing controversial views. In a surprising political move, she filed to run for California’s 44th congressional district in the 2018 Congressional Election as a Republican. Dash, expressing a desire to liberate people from what she deemed a “plantation mentality,” withdrew from the race after just one month.
9. Clay Aiken
Following his notable second-place finish on American Idol, Clay Aiken successfully ventured into a music career before expanding his talents into acting. His Broadway debut in Spamalot and guest appearances on shows such as 30 Rock, Scrubs, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit showcased his versatility.
Prior to his foray into politics in 2014, Aiken had been actively involved in activism and charity work. Seizing the opportunity, he ran as the Democratic Party’s candidate for North Carolina’s 2nd congressional district in the midterm elections. Despite his efforts, the seat, considered a safe Republican stronghold, eluded Aiken, resulting in his defeat by incumbent Republican Congresswoman Renee Ellmers.
10. George Takei
George Takei has played numerous roles on both screen and stage, yet he will forever be immortalized as Hikaru Sulu, the skilled helmsman of the USS Enterprise in Star Trek. During his time on the iconic show, Takei took a brief hiatus from acting to venture into politics. In 1973, he ran for a seat on the Los Angeles City Council, securing the second position among five candidates in the special election.
Following this, Takei was appointed to the board of directors of the Southern California Rapid Transit District. Remaining a prominent political voice, he actively shares “news with commentary from a progressive perspective” through his and his husband’s online publication, Second Nexus.
11. Jesse Ventura
Recognized as “The Body” in the wrestling arena, Ventura achieved a place in the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2004, acknowledging his prosperous career as a wrestler and commentator. His multifaceted career also extended to acting, where he starred in films such as Predator, The Running Man, and Batman & Robin.
Ventura’s political journey began in 1991 when he was elected as the mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. In a surprising turn of events in 1998, running as the Reform party candidate, he caused a major upset by defeating both the Republican and Democrat nominees in the Minnesota gubernatorial election.
Currently affiliated with the Green Party, Ventura contemplated a potential presidential run in 2020, signaling that his political career is far from its conclusion.
12. Clint Eastwood
A screen icon since the 1950s, Clint Eastwood has graced the silver screen in timeless classics like Dirty Harry and the Dollars Trilogy. His cinematic prowess extends beyond acting, earning him two Best Director Oscars for his exceptional work in Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby.
Amidst his illustrious Hollywood career, the now registered Libertarian ventured into local politics. In 1986, Eastwood secured the position of nonpartisan mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, dutifully serving in this role for a two-year term.
13. Ronald Reagan
In the late 1930s, Ronald Reagan made a significant move to California, marking the beginning of his showbiz career. His early roles in films like Love Is In The Air, Dark Victory, and Knute Rockne, All American, paved the way for stardom, with the breakthrough coming after his performance in the 1942 film Kings Row. Reagan continued to thrive in the film industry even after his military service.
In addition to his acting career, Reagan took on leadership roles, serving as the president of the Screen Actors Guild. His journey from Hollywood to politics reached its pinnacle when he was elected as the Governor of California in 1966. Transitioning to national politics, the Republican campaigned for the presidential nomination in 1976 before securing victory four years later, unseating incumbent President Jimmy Carter. Reagan served two full terms, concluding his presidency in 1989.
14. Donald Trump
Renowned as a real estate mogul and the host of The Apprentice, Donald Trump made notable appearances, often in cameo roles, in films such as Home Alone 2: Lost In New York, Zoolander, and The Little Rascals.
Prior to his foray into presidential politics, Trump had previously explored presidential aspirations, including the serious consideration of running against Barack Obama in 2012. However, it wasn’t until 2016 that he officially entered the race. Despite skepticism about his chances, the Republican candidate triumphed over Hillary Clinton, securing his place in history as the first U.S. president without prior military or government service. The events that unfolded during and after his presidency are well-known. In the 2020 election, Trump was not re-elected, and Joe Biden emerged victorious.
15. Arnold Schwarzenegger
For individuals who came of age in the ’80s and ’90s, Arnold Schwarzenegger was synonymous with a bodybuilder turned actor, starring in iconic action and sci-fi films such as The Terminator, Conan The Barbarian, and Total Recall.
Contrastingly, those who grew up in the aughts might recognize “Arnie” more as an actor turned politician. In 2003, he emerged as a Republican candidate in a special recall election, seeking to replace then-Governor of California Gray Davis. Schwarzenegger resonated with voters, securing 48.6% of the vote and winning the gubernatorial seat that year. He went on to secure re-election in 2006 and served until 2011 when he made a return to his acting career.
Conclusion
In tracing the diverse trajectories of actors who seamlessly embraced the realm of politics, we witness the unique confluence of celebrity influence and public service. These 15 individuals have not only left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry but have also ventured into political landscapes, shaping policies and engaging with societal issues. As we reflect on their transitions, it becomes evident that the convergence of fame and public service has the power to create a lasting legacy beyond the confines of the silver screen, showcasing the multifaceted roles these actors play in our collective consciousness.
