Actresses Who Have Gotten Into Politics
Acting and politics have crossed paths more often than you might think. Some performers have stepped into public life after years on stage or screen, while others balanced both careers before deciding to focus on policy, public service, or diplomatic work. Their journeys span local councils, national parliaments, cabinet posts, and even ambassadorships, showing how communication skills and public visibility can translate into civic leadership.
This list brings together actresses from around the world who ran for office, served in government, led major ministries, or represented their countries abroad. You’ll find former child stars turned diplomats, acclaimed performers who became legislators, and household names who mounted serious campaigns—each illustrating a different way creative careers can intersect with governing and advocacy.
Glenda Jackson
Glenda Jackson was a two-time Academy Award–winning British actress who later built a substantial career in public office. She was elected as the Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate in 1992 and continued to serve the area—after boundary changes, as Hampstead and Kilburn—until 2015.
During her time in government, Jackson served as a junior transport minister, focusing on issues such as London’s infrastructure and national transport policy. After leaving Parliament, she eventually returned to acting, but her extended tenure made her one of the UK’s most prominent examples of an artist-turned-legislator.
Tracy Brabin
Before entering politics, Tracy Brabin appeared in British television and theatre. She became the Labour MP for Batley and Spen in 2016, winning the by-election held after the tragic death of Jo Cox.
Brabin later stood for and won the newly created office of Mayor of West Yorkshire in 2021, becoming the first woman to hold the role. As mayor, she has worked on regional transport integration, skills programs, and policing governance within the combined authority framework.
Cynthia Nixon
Cynthia Nixon is widely known for her work on ‘Sex and the City’, but she also pursued public office in New York. In 2018, she ran in the Democratic primary for governor of New York, centering her campaign on education funding, criminal justice reform, and transit improvements.
Although she did not secure the nomination, Nixon’s campaign elevated debates around school equity and the governance of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. She has remained active in state and city policy discussions and has supported reform-oriented candidates in subsequent election cycles.
Melissa Gilbert
Melissa Gilbert rose to fame on ‘Little House on the Prairie’ and later turned to civic engagement and labor representation in the entertainment industry. She served as president of the Screen Actors Guild from 2001 to 2005, navigating contract negotiations and guild consolidation talks.
Gilbert ran for a U.S. House seat in Michigan’s 8th District during the 2016 cycle. She ultimately withdrew due to health reasons, but her campaign emphasized economic development, healthcare access, and support for working families in mid-Michigan.
Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple Black transitioned from being one of Hollywood’s most recognizable child stars to a distinguished diplomat. She joined the U.S. delegation to the United Nations in the 1960s and later served in senior protocol roles in Washington.
Her diplomatic postings included U.S. Ambassador to Ghana in the 1970s and U.S. Ambassador to Czechoslovakia at the pivotal moment of the Velvet Revolution. In those roles, she handled bilateral relations, supported democratic transitions, and represented U.S. interests during periods of significant change.
Nancy Reagan
Before becoming First Lady of the United States, Nancy Reagan had an active film and stage career. Her public role grew as she campaigned alongside Ronald Reagan during his gubernatorial races in California and later his presidential bids.
As First Lady from 1981 to 1989, she spearheaded initiatives such as the “Just Say No” campaign and oversaw historic restoration projects in the White House. She also played a visible part in ceremonial diplomacy and advocated for drug prevention education programs across the country.
Eva Duarte de Perón
Eva Perón began her career as an actress in radio, theatre, and film in Argentina. She married Juan Domingo Perón and became First Lady in 1946, quickly assuming a highly public leadership role.
During her time in public life, she helped create and direct a powerful charitable foundation and supported legislation expanding women’s political rights, including the franchise and female candidacies. Her work with labor unions and social welfare programs left a lasting imprint on Argentine political culture.
Gina Lollobrigida
Italian screen icon Gina Lollobrigida stepped into politics after decades in film and photography. She ran for the European Parliament in the late 1990s and later pursued a seat in Italy’s national legislature.
Lollobrigida framed her candidacies around arts, cultural heritage, and citizen welfare, using her public platform to highlight social programs and support for creative industries. Although she did not secure long-term elected office, her bids reflected a serious engagement with policy and civic issues.
Jayalalithaa
Jayalalithaa was a major star in Tamil cinema before becoming one of India’s most influential regional leaders. Entering politics with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), she rose through the party ranks in the 1980s.
She served multiple terms as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu across the 1990s and 2000s, overseeing large-scale welfare schemes and infrastructure projects. Her tenure was marked by robust party organization, extensive social programs, and decisive political strategy in state and national coalitions.
Hema Malini
Hema Malini, celebrated for her work in Hindi cinema, moved into public service through the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She first served in the Rajya Sabha, India’s upper house, and later won election to the Lok Sabha from Mathura.
In Parliament, she has focused on cultural affairs, tourism development, and constituency projects in Uttar Pradesh. Her role has combined advocacy for classical arts with on-the-ground work related to roads, sanitation, and heritage conservation.
Smriti Irani
Smriti Irani established a household presence on Indian television before starting a political career with the BJP. After contesting high-profile races, she won a Lok Sabha seat from Amethi in 2019.
She has held key ministerial portfolios at the federal level, including Human Resource Development (later renamed Education), Textiles, and Women and Child Development. Across these roles, she has been associated with initiatives on school governance, skill development, and social welfare delivery.
Jaya Bachchan
Jaya Bachchan, a National Award–winning Indian actress, has been a long-serving member of the Rajya Sabha with the Samajwadi Party. Her parliamentary service has spanned multiple terms since the mid-2000s.
She has participated in committees covering social justice, women’s issues, and culture, and has spoken frequently on privacy, media regulation, and artist welfare. Her tenure reflects sustained engagement with legislative scrutiny and policy debate.
Kirron Kher
Kirron Kher, known for film and theatre, entered electoral politics with the BJP. She won the Lok Sabha seat from Chandigarh and has served multiple terms representing the Union Territory.
Kher’s parliamentary interests have included urban development, public health, and infrastructure within Chandigarh’s unique administrative setup. She has supported constituency-level projects on sanitation, public amenities, and civic services while contributing to parliamentary discussions.
Urmila Matondkar
Urmila Matondkar moved from Hindi cinema into politics, initially joining the Indian National Congress. She contested the Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat in 2019, bringing attention to coastal development, transport, and housing issues.
After the election, she continued political work at the state level, later aligning with Maharashtra-based parties and participating in local governance debates. Her public positions have emphasized urban planning, environmental protections, and citizen services.
Kangana Ranaut
Kangana Ranaut, a prominent Hindi film actress, entered electoral politics and won a seat in the Lok Sabha from Mandi in 2024. Her campaign highlighted infrastructure, tourism, and employment opportunities in the Himalayan region.
As an MP, she has engaged with national policy debates while outlining constituency priorities tied to roads, connectivity, and youth entrepreneurship. Her transition from cinema to Parliament marked one of the more recent high-profile moves by an Indian actress into elected office.
Nusrat Jahan
Nusrat Jahan, a Bengali film actress, was elected to the Lok Sabha from Basirhat in 2019 as a member of the Trinamool Congress. She quickly became a visible public representative for her coastal constituency.
Her work has touched on disaster response and rehabilitation following cyclones, as well as on health and infrastructure issues in rural and peri-urban areas. In Parliament, she has participated in debates related to regional development, banking access, and small business support.
Mimi Chakraborty
Mimi Chakraborty, another popular Bengali actress, won a Lok Sabha seat from Jadavpur in 2019 representing the Trinamool Congress. Her platform included urban services, women’s safety, and cultural programming.
She has focused on projects that link creative industries with community development, including training programs and local events. In national discussions, she has contributed to conversations about city governance, transport, and youth opportunities.
Vilma Santos
Vilma Santos is a celebrated Filipina actress who built a lengthy record in public office. She served as mayor of Lipa City, then as governor of Batangas province, and later as a member of the Philippine House of Representatives.
Her governance emphasized health services, education facilities, and disaster preparedness in a province regularly facing typhoons and volcanic risks. Santos became one of the Philippines’ most recognized examples of a performer transitioning into sustained, results-focused public administration.
Lucy Torres-Gomez
Lucy Torres-Gomez began as a TV personality and actress before winning election to the Philippine House of Representatives for Leyte’s 4th District. Her legislative interests have included tourism development, infrastructure rehabilitation, and local enterprise support.
She later took on executive responsibilities at the city level, working on urban planning and public works in Ormoc. Across roles, she has advocated for regional connectivity projects and strengthened coordination on disaster response.
Nurul Arifin
Nurul Arifin is an Indonesian actress who entered politics with the Golkar Party. She has served multiple terms in the People’s Representative Council (DPR), working on committees related to social and cultural affairs.
Her priorities have included media regulation, youth issues, and the creative economy as a growth sector. Arifin has used her background to push for professional standards and training pathways across Indonesia’s film and television industries.
Geetha Kumarasinghe
Sri Lankan film star Geetha Kumarasinghe transitioned into politics and won a seat in Parliament. She has represented the Galle District and worked on cultural and regional development matters.
Her legislative period included involvement in debates on heritage preservation and support for artists, alongside constituency services in the south of the country. She also navigated legal and electoral eligibility questions that drew national attention during her tenure.
Carmen Salinas
Carmen Salinas was a veteran Mexican actress who later served as a federal deputy in the Chamber of Deputies. She represented a proportional representation district and participated in cultural and social development committees.
Salinas used her platform to discuss performers’ labor conditions and pension protections, as well as broader social welfare topics. Her move from entertainment to Congress reflected a commitment to industry-specific reforms and community concerns.
May Chin
Kao Chin Su-mei, also known as May Chin, was a Taiwanese actress who became a long-serving legislator representing Indigenous constituencies. She was elected to Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan and focused on Indigenous rights and cultural preservation.
Her parliamentary work included advocacy for land use, education access, and healthcare services tailored to Indigenous communities. Kao Chin’s tenure highlighted how representation can address historic disparities while sustaining cultural heritage.
Rekha Thapa
Rekha Thapa is a Nepali film actress who entered party politics and campaigned for office at the national level. She has been active in party organizing, youth engagement, and advocacy around women’s participation in public life.
Her political involvement has included outreach across rural districts, with attention to education, road access, and local enterprise. Thapa’s profile helped raise visibility for women candidates in Nepal’s competitive, evolving party landscape.
Stacey Dash
Stacey Dash, known for ‘Clueless’, explored a run for Congress in California in 2018. She filed to run in a Los Angeles–area district, framing a platform around economic opportunity and public safety before later withdrawing from the race.
Even without a completed campaign, Dash’s brief candidacy added to the list of American actresses testing the political waters. She has remained active in public debate and media, discussing policy positions and electoral issues.
Share your thoughts: which stories or careers on this list stood out to you, and who else would you add in the comments?
