MOST POWERFUL CELEBRITY POLITICIANS OF ALL-TIME
10 MOST POWERFUL CELEBRITY POLITICIANS OF ALL-TIME:
1. RONALD REAGAN:
He
started out in radio, and starred in a plethora of films including the often
mocked Bedtime for Bonzo before becoming the Governor of California in 1967.
His unsuccessful bid for President in 1976 set the stage for a triumphant run
for POTUS in 1980. He served two terms and was one of the most popular
Presidents in United States history.
2. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER:
He began a budding career in bodybuilding before acting,
but became “The Governator” when he won a (total) recall election in 2003 and
was subsequently re-elected for a full-term as Governor of the state of
California in 2006.
3. CLINT EASTWOOD:
The legendary star of spaghetti westerns and consummate movie badass, became
mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California in 1986 and was even appointed to the
California State Park and Recreation Commission by Governor Davis in 2001.
4. JESSE VENTURA:
He
made a name for himself as one of the most feared professional wrestlers of all
time before being elected Mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota in 1991 and then
going on to narrowly winning the state’s Governorship in 1998. He served one
term.
5. FRED THOMPSON:
He
became known to most people as District Attorney Arthur Branch on the long running
Law & Order TV series though his career in politics goes back to the 1970s.
In 1994 he was elected to serve out the last two years of Al Gore’s U.S. Senate
term and served in office until 2003. He failed in his bid to win the
Republican Presidential nomination in 2008 but is still an active presence in
GOP political circles.
6. SONNY BONO:
He
was known as half of the ‘60s singing duo Sonny & Cher retired his bell
bottoms to became mayor of Palm Springs in 1988. He then went on to serve as a
member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California’s 44th District.
7. AL FRANKEN:
He
made his name as a staff writer and performer on Saturday Night Live. Always an
outspoken liberal, Franken ran for Minnesota State Senator and was elected in
2009.
8. SHIRLEY TEMPLE BLACK :
While not an elected official, the former child-star was appointed
Representative to the 24th United Nations General Assembly by President Nixon
and also became the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia.
9. BEN JOHNSON:
He
is best known as the car mechanic Cooter from The Dukes of Hazzard, however, in
real life he served two terms as Congressman for Georgia’s 44th District.
10. FRED GRANDY:
Also known as “Gopher,” of the
nine-season sitcom The Love Boat, served as a member of the U.S. House of
Representatives from Iowa.
