Turning Starpower Into Political Clout: 10 Celebs Who Made Their Mark in Politics

Sep 17, 2023

By: Komal Banchhor

Celebrities who took a detour towards politics

After making it big amidst the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, some celebrities have tried turning their star power into political clout to influence change in society. While some found success in the corridors of political power, others came back to revive th...

1. Donald Trump: Turning reality TV viewership into votes

Donald Trump, renowned for his real estate empire, had also made a name for himself as the host of "The Apprentice," before entering the presidential race and becoming the 45th leader of the United States. Apart from becoming a household name as a do...

2. Caitlyn Jenner: From Olympian to Governor candidate

In 2021, Caitlyn Jenner, a former Olympian and well-known for her appearance in the reality show "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," made headlines by entering the race for California's governorship. Despite the initial buzz and media hype, her b...

3. Ronald Reagan: The movie star who became President

Ronald Reagan, a prominent figure in American history, initially started building his career as an actor in the 1930s and assumed leadership within the industry as the president of the Screen Actor's Guild. His journey took a dramatic turn when he venture...

4. Shirley Temple: From child star to diplomat

Shirley Temple, once a beloved child star, seamlessly transitioned towards a life of public service. After leaving the world of acting at a tender age, she ventured into politics and successfully ran for Congress. Subsequently, she assumed the role of a U.S. a...

5. Al Franken: Comedian turned senator

Al Franken, the famed "Saturday Night Live" comedian, entered the political arena, as a U.S. Senator representing Minnesota. But his political journey was cut short by allegations of sexual misconduct that led to his resignation, and Franken later re...

6. Sean Duffy: Reality TV star who reached Congress

Sean Duffy gained a fan following as a reality TV personality, with appearances on popular shows such as "The Real World" and "Real World/Road Rules Challenge." This resonance with fans translated into votes that took him from the world...

7. Sonny Bono: Musician who struck a chord with voters

Sonny Bono, known to be a part of the musical duo Sonny & Cher, made a remarkable shift into politics when he clinched the seat of Palm Springs' mayor by leveraging his celebrity status in the community. His ambition later helped him successfully repr...

8. Jesse Ventura: A wrestler in the political arena

Politics can get brutal and that's where former professional wrestler Jesse Ventura, known for his moniker "The Body," was able to capitalize on his popularity to win the gubernatorial race in Minnesota. Ventura's journey into politics was ...

9. Kevin Johnson: NBA star turned Mayor

Kevin Johnson, a former NBA standout, made history by becoming Sacramento, California's first Black mayor, although his political journey encountered turbulence due to allegations of sexual misconduct. Johnson's tenure as mayor was marked by efforts ...

10. Cynthia Nixon: Actress and governor candidate

Actress Cynthia Nixon, recognizable for her iconic role in " and the City," forayed into the world of politics during the 2018 New York gubernatorial race. Though her bid for office was unsuccessful, she has continued her activism on various social a...