It takes a lot to walk away from bit parts in Hollywood and turn to bit parts in Washington D.C., but that’s just what many b-list celebrities have done. Some have run and failed, but occasionally some succeed. Here are our top 10 favorite Hollywood failures who became your elected officials.
10. Ben L. Jones – “Cooter” Dukes of Hazzard
If Cooter could keep the General Lee running after being jumped over dirt mounds all over Hazzard County, why couldn’t help keep Georgia running as a member of the House of Representatives? Though his political career was shorter than Daisy Duke’s shorts. We all feel he used the wisdom of Uncle Jesse to help make the Peach State a better place.
9. Alan Autry – “Captain Bubba Skinner” Heat of the Night
Ex-football player, turned actor, turned politician. Autry ran for Mayor of Fresno, California in 2000 and recently finished out his second term last month. Autry proudly reprised the role of Bubba in 2008 as he stood up proudly in support of Proposition 8.
8. Sheila Kuehl – “Zelda Gilroy” The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
In 1994, Kuehl was the first openly gay person elected to the California legislature and later was elected to the California State Senate. Often voted the “smartest” member of the California Legislature.
7. Jesse Ventura – “Jesse (The Body) Ventura” Wrestler/Actor
Ventura served a single term as the governor of Minnesota before leaving office and threatening the world he will someday run for President, then backing out, then hinting he will again… wash hands then repeat. I’d actually love to see him running our country with the hopes of Mean Gene Okerlund as press secretary and a little Wrestlemania with France.
6. Fred Thompson – “D.A. Arthur Branch” Law and Order
One of the members of the Senate Watergate Committee, Thompson did more damage to Richard Nixon than Oliver Stone. Manages to still balance a political and acting career while keeping his trophy wife happy, purrrrrr. Thompson’s campaign announced he was running for President during the 2008 election, but apparently forgot to tell Thompson himself.
5. Sonny Bono – “Sonny Bono” Sonny and Cher
Followed his much publicized split from Cher by becoming the Mayor of Palm Spings, California from 1988 to 1992. He was then elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994 and served until his death in 1998. When asked if he’d ever consider a reunion with his ex singing partner, he said he’d rather ski high speed into a tree.
4. Arnold Schwarzenegger – “Conan” Conan the Barbarian
Weightlifter and actor who managed to beat out a 100 other girlie man candidates for California Governor after Gray Davis was kicked to the curb. People are assuming this was a practice run for the much larger office of President. Though constitutionally impossible, if it keeps he from doing another Terminator film then he’s got my vote.
3. Shirley Temple Black – “Shirley Temple” Childhood Star
Arguably the most famous child star ever (In your face Dakota Fanning!), Temple Black unsuccessfully ran as a Republican candidate for the U.S. Congress. She later served as White House chief of protocol for President Gerald Ford, U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Ghana and U.S. ambassador to Czechoslovakia. Though she never officially won a public office, she is just so damn cute we had to include her.
2. Ronald Reagan – “George (The Gipper) Gipp” Knute Rockne, All American
The former governor of California and two-term president of the United States. Reagan starred in more than 50 films before becoming governor of California in 1967. Known best for acting with a monkey and making the 80s the most sterile decade since the dawn of man… which also involved monkeys.
1. Fred Grandy – “Burl (Gopher) Smith” Love Boat
Our favorite actor turned politician. Served as an Iowa Congressman from 1987 to 1995. Of all the nickname actors in office (Gipper, Cooter, Bubba) there would be no greater thing that having a Gopher in the oval office. I can already see an appointment of Issac as Secretary of coolness.
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