Famous Faces Who Tried Politics
We all know celebrities love the spotlight, but did you know some have tried to shine in politics too? Yep, a few of your favorite stars have swapped red carpets for campaign trails. Let’s dive into the world of celebs who gave politics a shot.
1. Arnold Schwarzenegger
The “Terminator” star actually made it! Arnold became the Governor of California in 2003 and served until 2011. His switch from movies to politics was a big hit.
2. Cynthia Nixon
Remember Miranda from “Sex and the City”? Cynthia ran for Governor of New York in 2018. Though she didn’t win, her campaign brought attention to many important issues.
3. Sonny Bono
This singer-turned-politician surprised many by becoming the Mayor of Palm Springs. Later, he even served as a U.S. Congressman until his passing in 1998.
4. Shirley Temple
The child star of the ’30s later took on a new role as a diplomat. She ran for Congress in 1967, though she didn’t win. Still, she served as an ambassador later in life.
5. Jerry Springer
Before his famous talk show, Jerry was the Mayor of Cincinnati in 1977. His political career started before he became a household name on TV.
6. Wyclef Jean
The musician aimed for the presidency of Haiti in 2010. Despite his passion and popularity, he couldn’t run due to residency requirements.
7. Roseanne Barr
In 2012, the comedian and actress threw her hat into the ring for President of the United States, running as a Green Party candidate.
8. Clint Eastwood
Known for his rugged roles, Clint served as the Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. He held office from 1986 to 1988, bringing some Hollywood flair to local politics.
9. Glenda Jackson
After a successful acting career, Glenda entered British politics. She was elected to Parliament in 1992 and served for over two decades.
10. Kal Penn
The “Harold & Kumar” star took a break from acting to work in the Obama administration as Associate Director in the Office of Public Engagement.
11. Al Franken
Before becoming a U.S. Senator, Al was a comedian and writer for “Saturday Night Live.” He served as a senator from 2009 to 2018.
12. Fred Thompson
This actor and lawyer became a U.S. Senator from Tennessee, serving from 1994 to 2003, while also maintaining his acting career.
And The Winners Are…
1. Ronald Reagan
Before he was the 40th President of the United States, Reagan was an actor. He started his political career as the Governor of California.
2. Jesse Ventura
The former wrestler and actor became the Governor of Minnesota in 1999, proving that anything is possible in politics.
3. George Murphy
This song-and-dance man moved from Hollywood to politics, serving as a U.S. Senator from California from 1965 to 1971.
4. Donald Trump
Love him or hate him, Trump went from reality TV star to the 45th President of the United States, redefining the path from celebrity to politician.
These stars show us that the journey from fame to politics is filled with surprises. Whether they won or not, their ventures into politics are memorable chapters in their lives.
