Actors Who Have Gotten into Politics
Plenty of familiar faces from film and television have stepped into public service, turning name recognition and communication skills into campaign assets. Some won high office and shaped policy for years, while others took appointed roles or ran competitive races that shifted debates in their countries and communities.
This list looks at male actors whose careers crossed into government or electoral politics in meaningful ways—through winning office, serving in administrations, founding parties, or mounting serious campaigns. Each entry highlights the political roles they took on and the context they came from in entertainment.
Ronald Reagan
Before entering politics, Ronald Reagan starred in dozens of studio pictures and served as president of the Screen Actors Guild, where he dealt with labor negotiations and industry issues. His visibility and organizational experience helped as he built a political base in California after years on the public-speaking circuit.
Reagan was elected Governor of California in 1966 and again in 1970, then won the U.S. presidency in 1980 and 1984. His administrations emphasized tax changes, deregulation, and a defense buildup, while his foreign policy focused on Cold War strategy and negotiations with the Soviet Union.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger rose to international fame through action films such as ‘The Terminator’ and ‘Predator’, becoming one of the highest-grossing stars of his era. His philanthropic and fitness advocacy work preceded his move into public policy.
He served as Governor of California from 2003 to 2011 after a recall election, promoting measures on climate policy, infrastructure bonds, and redistricting reform. He often worked across party lines on environmental legislation, including a statewide cap on greenhouse-gas emissions.
Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood built a long career as an actor and director with titles like ‘Dirty Harry’ and ‘Unforgiven’. He had longstanding interests in local planning and business in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.
Eastwood was elected mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea in 1986 and served one term, focusing on permitting, public access to beaches, and small-business concerns. He later served on the California State Park and Recreation Commission, where he advocated on land-use issues.
Fred Thompson
Fred Thompson appeared in films such as ‘The Hunt for Red October’ and on television in ‘Law & Order’. He was also a lawyer and counsel in high-profile federal investigations before entering elective office.
Thompson won a U.S. Senate seat from Tennessee in 1994 and served until 2003, backing legislation on government oversight and national security. He launched a presidential campaign in 2007, emphasizing executive experience and federal reform.
Sonny Bono
Known from the duo Sonny & Cher and roles in projects like ‘Airplane II’, Sonny Bono transitioned from entertainment into local governance in Southern California. His profile helped him rally support on city-level issues.
Bono served as mayor of Palm Springs from 1988 to 1992, championing downtown redevelopment and tourism. He later represented California in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 until his death in 1998, working on intellectual-property and entertainment-related matters.
George Murphy
George Murphy acted in musicals and comedies at major studios and served as president of the Screen Actors Guild. His industry leadership positioned him for a broader political career.
Murphy was elected U.S. Senator from California in 1964 and served one term. He worked on committees related to labor and public works, often drawing on his experience with unions and production logistics.
Fred Grandy
Fred Grandy became widely known for his role as Gopher on ‘The Love Boat’. After leaving the series, he shifted toward policy and constituent work.
He represented Iowa’s 5th district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1987 to 1995, focusing on agriculture, trade, and rural development. Grandy later led a nonprofit and remained active in public policy circles.
Ben Jones
Ben Jones gained fame as Cooter on ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’ and leveraged that visibility into a congressional run in Georgia. His public appearances connected entertainment audiences with community issues.
Jones served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1989 to 1993, where he worked on transportation and historic-preservation initiatives. He also engaged in cultural-policy discussions tied to broadcasting and popular media.
Al Franken
Al Franken acted and wrote for television on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and appeared in various projects, building a reputation as a political satirist before running for office. He authored books on public policy topics that preceded his campaign.
Franken was elected U.S. Senator from Minnesota in 2008 and served until 2018. In the Senate he worked on consumer protection, broadband access, and judiciary issues, and he was active on committees overseeing technology and privacy.
Jesse Ventura
Jesse Ventura appeared in films such as ‘Predator’ and ‘The Running Man’ after a career in professional wrestling. His media experience and outsider profile shaped his campaign messaging.
Ventura was elected Governor of Minnesota in 1998 as a third-party candidate and served one term. His administration addressed transportation funding, tax rebates, and government-structure reforms, and he promoted civic engagement among younger voters.
Kal Penn
Kal Penn starred in films like ‘Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle’ and had recurring roles on television in ‘House’. He stepped away from acting periods to work in government.
Penn served as Associate Director in the White House Office of Public Engagement during the Obama administration, focusing on youth outreach and community engagement. He later returned to entertainment while continuing public-service initiatives and advisory work.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a comedian and actor who headlined the television series ‘Servant of the People’. His production company created popular entertainment that often explored civic themes.
He was elected President of Ukraine in 2019 and led the country through major national-security and diplomatic challenges. His administration has centered on international alliances, military assistance, and anti-corruption goals, while maintaining communication through frequent public briefings.
Jimmy Morales
Jimmy Morales is a Guatemalan comedian and actor who appeared in shows like ‘Moralejas’. His public persona emphasized anti-corruption before his presidential run.
He served as President of Guatemala from 2016 to 2020. His government engaged with regional migration issues, public-security policies, and negotiations with international anti-impunity bodies.
Joseph Estrada
Joseph “Erap” Estrada starred in numerous Philippine films, often in action and drama, and later moved into public office at the city and national levels. His popularity translated into a strong grassroots organization.
Estrada served as Mayor of San Juan for many years, was elected Vice President of the Philippines in 1992, and then President in 1998. After his presidency, he returned to local politics and served as Mayor of Manila from 2013 to 2019.
Isko Moreno
Isko Moreno (Francisco Domagoso) began as a film and television actor in the Philippines, appearing in mainstream and independent projects. He entered city politics early and built experience through successive roles.
He served as Mayor of Manila from 2019 to 2022, focusing on urban renewal, public health, and education facilities. He later ran for the presidency in 2022, bringing national attention to his city-level policies.
Lito Lapid
Lito Lapid built a film career in Philippine action cinema and then turned to provincial and national politics. His screen recognition aided early campaigns.
Lapid served as Governor of Pampanga from 1995 to 2004 and has been elected multiple times to the Philippine Senate. His legislative interests have included culture, local-government empowerment, and disaster-risk reduction.
Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.
Bong Revilla appeared in numerous action films and hosted television projects in the Philippines. He entered politics through provincial leadership and national office.
Revilla served as Governor of Cavite and has been elected as a Senator multiple times. His work has included measures on public safety, road-user charges, and cultural heritage, alongside high-profile legal proceedings that shaped his public career.
N.T. Rama Rao
Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR) was a legendary Telugu film star, known for roles in historical and mythological epics such as ‘Maya Bazaar’. He founded a regional party in Andhra Pradesh that became a major political force.
NTR served three terms as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh across the 1980s and mid-1990s. His tenure emphasized food-subsidy schemes, rural electrification, and administrative reforms, and he reshaped state-level political competition.
M. G. Ramachandran
Marudur Gopalan Ramachandran (MGR) was a Tamil cinema icon celebrated for roles in films like ‘Adimai Penn’ and ‘Enga Veettu Pillai’. He founded his own political party after a split with a major regional movement.
MGR served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for multiple consecutive terms from 1977 until 1987. His administration is associated with mid-day meal expansion, welfare programs, and the consolidation of party organization statewide.
Chiranjeevi
Chiranjeevi is a leading Telugu actor known for films including ‘Indra’ and ‘Tagore’. He launched a political party in Andhra Pradesh that contested state elections.
He later merged his party into the Indian National Congress and served as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha and as Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism. His political work focused on tourism development and regional infrastructure.
Vijayakanth
Vijayakanth, a Tamil film star from action and patriotic dramas like ‘Captain Prabhakaran’, founded the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK). His party quickly became a notable challenger in Tamil Nadu politics.
He served as Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly after the 2011 elections. His efforts centered on coalition-building, anti-corruption messaging, and state-level development debates.
Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan is a celebrated Indian actor and filmmaker with credits such as ‘Nayakan’ and ‘Vishwaroopam’. He founded the political party Makkal Needhi Maiam to contest elections in Tamil Nadu.
Haasan has campaigned on governance reforms, urban services, and anti-corruption measures, fielding candidates in local and state elections. He has maintained a public presence that bridges film, social work, and policy proposals.
Desmond Elliot
Desmond Elliot is a Nigerian actor and director known for roles in Nollywood productions like ‘Atlanta’ and ‘Guilty Pleasures’. He shifted from entertainment to public office in Lagos.
Elliot was elected to the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015 and has been re-elected, working on youth development and cultural-industry issues. He engages with constituency projects and legislative oversight at the state level.
Rano Karno
Rano Karno, famous for the Indonesian television series ‘Si Doel Anak Sekolahan’ and various films, entered regional government after years in entertainment. He first served as deputy in provincial leadership.
He became Governor of Banten in 2015 after serving as Vice Governor, focusing on governance reforms and public-service delivery. His tenure dealt with infrastructure, education programs, and anti-corruption compliance.
John Lodge
John Davis Lodge acted in films such as ‘Little Women’ and ‘The Little Colonel’ before World War II service and a turn to public life. He came from a family active in law and politics.
Lodge served as Governor of Connecticut from 1951 to 1955 and later as U.S. Ambassador to Spain, Argentina, and Switzerland. His public career emphasized trade relations, diplomacy, and postwar economic ties.
Have another actor in mind who moved from the screen to public service? Share your pick—and why you chose him—in the comments!
