Ten US actors turned politicians
Updated on 22 June 2007
American actor Fred Thompson is treading a familiar path - troden by Clint Eastwood among others - as he bids to become the most powerful man on the planet.
Channel 4 News online looks at 10 other US actors and actresses - aside from Arnie - who have embarked on a political career.
1. Alan Autry
Carlos Alan Autry was best known for his role as Captain Bubba Skinner in the TV series In the Heat of the Night. The former NFL football player entered politics in 2000, after being elected mayor of Fresno, California. Among his policies was active opposition to gay marriage.
2. Shirley Temple
The former child actress starred in over 40 films during the 1930s, becoming a Hollywood legend. Her achievements in film were matched in politics: after an unsuccessful Congressional campaign in 1967, she went on to hold several diplomatic posts, including ambassadorships to Ghana and Czechoslovakia.
3. Jesse Ventura
The former wrestler starred in the hit film Predator in 1987, and also featured in other Hollywood productions such as Running Man. In 1993, he was elected the 38th Governor of Minnesota - serving until 2003. Shortly after his victory car stickers and T-shirts appeared with the slogan: "My governor can beat up your governor".
4. Sonny Bono
The record producer is best known for hit singles such as I Got You Babe and The Beat Goes On, although Cher received more attention. The pair starred in The Sonny and Cher Show TV show from 1971-77. After unsuccessfully running for the Republican nomination for Senate in 1992, he was elected to the House of Representatives in 1994 to represent California's 44th district.
5. Jerry Springer
The Brit-born chat show host was the Democratic mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio in 1977 - fulfilling the role for one year. Unlike others on the list he used his political career as a spring board for showbiz success. Best known for the eponymous TV show he also appeared (invariably as himself) in a number of TV sitcoms including King of Queens.
6. Mary Carey
The porn actress stood as an independent candidate during the 2003 California recall election, but finished tenth in a field of 135 candidates. Among her manifesto pledges was a plan to tax breast implants. In June 2005, she announced her bid for Lieutenant Governor of California as an independent, but again failed to win office.
7. Ben Jones
Jones was Cooter Davenport on The Dukes of Hazzard, for the entire series run. In 1986, he ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the House of Representatives from Georgia. He ran again in 1988, this time winning a seat. He was re-elected in 1990, but was defeated again in 1992. In 2002, he ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the House representing Virginia, thus becoming one of very few recent American politicians to seek elective office in more than one state.
8. Clint Eastwood
The world famous actor - and Academy Award-winning director - made one successful foray into elected politics, becoming the Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California for one term. Carmel is a wealthy small town and artist community on the Monterey Peninsula. He described his political philosophy as: "Everyone leaves everyone else alone".
9. Nancy Kulp
Kulp was best known as Miss Jane Hathaway on the TV series The Beverly Hillbillies. In 1984, she ran for the House of Representatives as a Democrat from Pennsylvania, but was unsuccessful. To her dismay, Hillbillies co-star Buddy Ebsen supported her Republican opponent, Bud Shuster.
10. Ronald Reagan
The 40th President of the United States was an actor from the 1930s to the 1960s. Reagan took a screen test that led to a seven-year contract with the Warner Brothers studio. Initially, Reagan secured roles in "B" films and later in more significant "A" pictures.
Before Santa Fe Trail in 1940, he played the role of George "The Gipper" Gipp in the film Knute Rockne, All American. From this role he acquired the nickname the Gipper, which he retained the rest of his life.
