From Hollywood to the White House: Stars Who Would Triumph in Politics

Celebrities from Michael Keaton to Eminem and Justin Bieber have fervently encouraged Americans to vote. The likes of Donald Trump and Arnold Schwarzenegger have successfully won races for the most influential political positions.

We can do better, though. No longer can we allow our most likable, linguistically talented movie stars, musicians, and influencers to retire to their mansions in Calabasas. We must insist they work for us, the taxpayers—the same people who have funded their luxurious lifestyles.

As criteria like “relevant experience” take a back seat to Q score, expect to see rumors of The Rock and Oprah running for president become a reality. With this in mind, we composed this list of celebrities who must run for political office. From their ability to attract hordes of adoring supporters to their apparent intellect, these superstars would all bring something of value to a political arena in dire need of rejuvenation.

1. Cindy Crawford

Cindy Crawford checks virtually all the boxes a politician should check. The world-class beauty graduated as valedictorian of her high school class and was on her way to a chemical engineering degree from Northwestern University before becoming a full-time model. Let’s just assume she would have earned that degree with flying colors, in which case she has the smarts necessary to navigate global affairs.

The ageless model has also participated in many partnerships with multinational brands, giving her expert knowledge of the private sector. Then there’s the obvious: Would you complain about watching Cindy Crawford give the State of the Union address, or any address for that matter? Crawford could tell me that she was raising my taxes by 200%, and I’d find it difficult to complain.

2. Daniel Day-Lewis

Acting is a prerequisite for excelling as a politician. You have to look would-be voters in the eye and lie to them convincingly about the promises you’ll fulfill after winning the election. Few actors are as convincing as Daniel Day-Lewis, renowned for tricking his mind and body into believing he is truly the character he’s portraying on the silver screen.

Many voters complain that their elected officials need to be more dedicated to their constituents. Day-Lewis’ dedication is not a concern. Plus, he has plenty of practice at statesmanship, having masterfully portrayed Abraham Lincoln in Steven Spielberg’s biopic.

3. Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood is 93 years old at the time of writing. While some might consider this advanced age to be a disqualifier, he would blend in seamlessly with the presumed nominees for the 2024 presidential election.

Eastwood already has political bona fides. Frustrated by the obtrusive wheels of bureaucracy in the 1980s, Eastwood won the mayorship of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, in 1986. He would have the right-leaning AARP crowd’s vote the moment he announced his candidacy, and he embodies the sort of strong, steady-handed leadership that many Westerners feel is missing in the current crop of politicians.

4. Connie Britton

Connie Britton became well-known for playing a Texas high school football coach’s wife in Friday Night Lights, but her quaint homemaker role belied an intellectual titan. A Dartmouth graduate who studied Chinese in the Ivy League, Britton is uniquely positioned to address China’s Godzillian influence within the global power structure.

Britton also has close relationships that would ease her transition into politics. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is one of Britton’s closest friends, as the two studied together at Dartmouth and have remained tight ever since. If Britton could blend the no-bull attitude of a coach’s wife with her formal education and close ties to at least one mover and shaker in D.C., she could be a force.

5. Tiger Woods

Bill Clinton. Donald Trump. Nikki Haley. These and countless other politicians have overcome well-publicized scandals involving their romantic lives, proving that Tiger Woods’ past infidelities don’t preclude a political run. In fact, Tiger has rehabbed his image to a degree that would have been unfathomable only a few years ago, and now his skeletons are presumably all out in the open.

With nothing left to hide (we assume), Tiger’s penchant for winning, appeal to a wide strata of classes and demographics, relentless work ethic, entrepreneurial acumen, and unrivaled name recognition would be assets to his political career. Our nation is undeniably in the rough. Is Tiger the man to smack it back onto the fairway?

6. Edward Norton

Edward Norton has played a schizophrenic brawler, a thief, a reformed white supremacist, an FBI agent, and an illusionist. We can’t remember him playing a politician, but this list of roles gives him the requisite experience to navigate politics. Norton resides near the top of his craft, and his commitment to acting signals the type of work ethic he’d bring to a career in public service.

The sharp-tongued actor has also shown an intellectual curiosity and innovative streak that could spark a much-needed change in our worn political system. He has played a central role in a software company that helps non-profits raise money through crowdfunding. He also co-founded Zeck, a cloud-based platform streamlining meetings to save organizations valuable time and resources. That’s the kind of belt-tightening initiative the public sector needs.

7. Aaron Rodgers

Our recent spate of presidential candidates is nothing if not controversial. Thanks to his outspokenness and willingness to share opinions that are most often relegated to X accounts and haze-filled vehicles packed with red-eyed teenagers, Rodgers has garnered both controversy and a cult following. What more does one need to launch a promising political career?

We may not even be speculating. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s campaign has confirmed that Rodgers is on the short list of potential Vice-Presidential running mates. As a former UC Berkeley student who hosted Jeopardy for a couple of weeks, Rodgers is a proven information hound. While we know that A-Rodg has plenty of skill throwing leather Wilson footballs, perhaps it’s time to see how he handles the political football.

8. John Krasinski

As Jim Halpert on The Office, John Krasinski displayed a razor-sharp wit indicative of high intelligence. As Jack Ryan on Amazon’s Jack Ryan, Krasinski showed he can roll with the punches of international espionage and domestic corruption. This kind of versatility is reminiscent of deft politicians who sit on John Deeres with rural constituents and throw on suits for the donor crowd. Plus, Krasinski is a Brown University graduate with an abundance of humility that would go a long way with voters.

After years of dealing with Dwight Schrute and Michael Scott, the D.C. clown show will be a walk in the park.

9. Denzel Washington

My man. As president, Denzel Washington could be America’s man. Few living actors are as universally respected or revered as Denzel. The campaign posters write themselves—nobody would question who you meant if the yard sign said, “Denzel 2028.”

To date, Washington has won an Oscar for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor and has been nominated 10 times. He brings an undeniable authenticity and seriousness to every role he occupies, and we have no doubt he’d take a similarly serious approach to a political career. While his turn as a corrupt cop in Training Day might give some pause, Denzel seems to be a man of integrity who would earn many votes the moment he announced his candidacy.

10. Geena Davis

Geena Davis is an accomplished actress known by many for roles in Thelma & Louise, A League of Their Own, Tootsie, and Fletch. She’s also a genius.

Davis is a member of Mensa International, a club for those in the 98th percentile of IQ. There are only about 150,000 Mensa members worldwide, and the list of Mensa-eligible actors is short. Extraordinary intelligence should be one of the traits we demand of our politicians, though we’ve admittedly missed the mark in most cases.

Geena Davis has the baseline traits to comprehend the most complex political challenges, whether it is negotiating peace in the Middle East or identifying ways to increase employment in America’s most economically depressed communities.

11. David Duchovny

David Duchovny is a confident, razor-witted actor, but you may not know he is also a former Ph.D. student at Yale University. Before that, Duchovny earned a Bachelor’s degree at Princeton University and Masters at Yale. He left his Ph.D. studies to pursue acting, but the fruits of his Ivy League education presumably serve Duchovny in day-to-day life.

As FBI Agent Fox Mulder on The X-Files, Duchovny had access to the black files. Aliens have never been as relevant as they are today, and Duchovny’s extensive background in extraterrestrial studies makes him a natural fit for high political office. The truth is out there, and it’s that David Duchovny is one of the actors most qualified to transition seamlessly into American politics.

12. Adam Sandler

The Sandman already has a nickname readymade for a political campaign. While most of America once viewed Sandler as a goofball, he has flashed his earnestness through roles in Punch-Drunk Love, Uncut Gems, and Hustle. This serious side might indicate that Sandler could hack it politically.

You might question why Sandler made this list. Perhaps his most defining trait as a celebrity is his seeming down-to-earth demeanor. Sandler’s knack for playing pickup basketball with anyone anywhere indicates a man of the people. At a time when many Americans feel their political class is out of touch with their day-to-day struggles, Sandler’s willingness to engage with the people would be a breath of fresh air. As a bonus, we would get some of the most lighthearted presidential addresses ever filmed.

13. Kate Beckinsale

It’s a wonder bombshell actress Kate Beckinsale hasn’t played more Russian or German characters in films. Perhaps the right opportunities haven’t arisen, as Beckinsale is fluent in both German and Russian and studied French literature at Oxford University’s New College. She is also reportedly “Mensa-level smart,” a trait that never hurts in political negotiations.

Beckinsale has said that her life may be less complicated, and her acting career may have reached higher heights were it not for her intelligence. We don’t think the American public would hold her sky-high IQ against her though. She should consider a career where her natural talents would be better appreciated (and arguably better used).

14. Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal is starring in the remake of Road House, but we wonder if he’d be up for a four-year trip to the White House. Gyllenhaal comes off as immensely likable and intelligent, and his sister shows some of the same characteristics. Maggie would be a logical vice presidential selection, as the siblings both earned entry to the prestigious Columbia University (Maggie graduated while Jake left early to act).

A brother-sister ticket is a rare treat, and we think big sis could impart some wisdom that would enrich the duo’s political potency. We often dismiss actors as air-headed script readers, but the Gyllenhaals are notable exceptions.

15. Christian Bale

Christian Bale’s intensity is the stuff of legend, and his refusal to suffer fools would be a welcomed change of pace in the political ecosystem. He also played Richard Cheney in the 2018 political satire Vice. We can only assume that his background research into the men pulling political frontmen’s strings will serve him well.

Because he is Welsh, Bale would have to settle for a political office other than the presidency. However, we think he would bring a Batman-level sense of justice to whichever office he occupies. In fact, Gotham could use Batman right about now, as the city has many problems in need of strong-armed fixes. With a New York City mayoral race slated for 2025, Bale better register ASAP.

16. Lisa Kudrow

Lisa Kudrow’s turn as Phoebe Buffay in Friends typified the ditzy blonde stereotype. While Kudrow is ostensibly blonde, she’s far from ditzy. In fact, Kudrow has shown a level of intellectual inquiry that is rare not just among actors but among the general public. Her extracurricular ambition is the sort of drive the American public deserves in their leadership class.

Kudrow is the daughter of Lee Kudrow, an accomplished neurologist. The pair served as co-authors on a scientific paper published in the scientific journal Cephalalgia. The authors explored whether someone’s handedness correlated with the prevalence of cluster or migraine headaches. Do you see Jennifer Aniston or Courtney Cox publishing scientific papers in their spare time? How Kudrow drew the ditzy straw is beyond us.

17. Rowan Atkinson

How does Mr. Bean Goes to Washington hit your ear? Brit Rowan Atkinson is one of the smartest men in Hollywood and objectively one of the most hilarious. That’s exactly how we like our politicians—smart and funny.

Atkinson began honing his brand of physical comedy while studying for a Master’s degree at Oxford. He holds an electrical engineering degree from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, proving that he’s smart, willing to study, and unafraid to get his hands dirty while completing a hard day’s work. These are all stellar attributes in a politician. Honestly, though, we’re looking forward to Mr. Bean’s press conferences more than anything else.

18. Natalie Portman

If you haven’t noticed, we are heavily crediting intellectual capability and curiosity when choosing celebrities to run our country. Natalie Portman suits this trend. The Black Swan actress is an Oscar-winning Harvard graduate, displaying a penchant for excellence in all corners of her life. One of her professors described Portman as “capable of focused effort over a sustained period,” as evidenced by her Ivy League pit stop mid-acting career.

In her address to one of Harvard’s graduating classes, Portman flashed the empathy that has made her a successful actress. She expressed her struggles with self-doubt despite being highly accomplished. This same empathy would be much appreciated by Americans who too often feel their leaders don’t truly understand their struggles.

19. John Cleese

John Cleese has fulfilled his service to the world by delivering countless laughs throughout an illustrious comedic career. We’re asking him to do us one more solid. Cleese would bring an unparalleled levity to politics, but his background suggests he could also be a potent statesman capable of enacting needed change.

The Monty Python star has always been an astute comedic mind, but he has several other talents we could use in our political class. Cleese was a teacher at Bristol College before graduating with honors from the University of Cambridge Faculty of Law. With a solid grasp of the law, Cleese may avoid the sticky legal situations politicians often find themselves in. He could even write his own speeches, having penned the acclaimed film A Fish Called Wanda.

20. Morgan Freeman

No modern celebrity embodies the air of wisdom quite like Morgan Freeman. We maintain a healthy respect for our elders’ wisdom, so Freeman is a natural choice to enter the political arena. Heck, he’s played God already. How hard could a little political gamesmanship be for him?

The accomplished actor served in the U.S. Air Force between 1955 and 1959, lending him an inside perspective into military operations. Freeman has also expressed keen interest in helping people overcome trying circumstances, once saying, “Literacy could be the ladder out of poverty.”

The actor’s belief that we can lift ourselves out of financial hardship comes from personal experience. Freeman, the son of a barber and schoolteacher, has ascended to astounding heights and can help his fellow Americans do the same.

21. Shakira

Shakira’s hips don’t lie, and hopefully that would translate to an honest run in politics. Don’t ever mistake the Colombian singer as all looks without substance, though a pretty face is never a bad building block for a political ascension. We pick Shakira as a would-be political star primarily because of her Mensa membership.

Shakira is quite literally a genius. While such a high IQ can be dangerous when applied to the wrong political ideology, we prefer our politicians to be smart rather than the alternative. If she’s willing to get her American citizenship, politics would be a logical progression for the singer. Her essay titled “The Parents of 545 Children Are Missing, and the Silence Is Dangerous.” hints at her engagement with pressing affairs, and we think she’d crush it as a public servant.

22. James Woods

James Woods is another celebrity with off-the-charts intelligence. With an estimated IQ of 180, Woods’s opinion is worth considering based on the unique way his brain operates. He’s become a political person on X, and you may or may not agree with his politics. Even so, it is always worth listening to geniuses, even if you disagree with their ultimate interpretation of events.

For reference, authorities have deduced that Albert Einstein had an IQ of around 160. That means that, by intelligence measures alone, James Woods has an IQ 20 points higher than Albert Einstein. We can’t help but laugh at Woods playing the sleazy con artist Lester Diamond in Martin Scorsese’s classic Casino. He nailed the role, but it’s quite the juxtaposition between Woods’ real-life role as a political science major at MIT.

23. Brian May

Brian May’s rhythmic guitar playing helped propel Queen to international superstardom, but his head is full of far more than musical notes. If you thought May was under pressure playing in front of thousands of expectant fans, imagine what he endured while helping NASA return its first-ever asteroid sample to Earth.

May has a doctorate in astrophysics from Imperial College in London, earning the degree in 2007. This makes Brian May one of the smartest, most academically accomplished musicians ever to grace the universe. This also would make May a logical fit for politics, though we can’t imagine the prospect would do much for him. How exciting could filibustering be after you’ve toured the world with Freddie Mercury and worked with NASA?

24. Jodie Foster

You can tell Jodie Foster is smart simply by watching her. Whether she is going head-to-head with Hannibal Lecter or solving crimes in Ennis, Alaska, Foster typically plays highly competent, no-nonsense characters. This isn’t by accident, as Foster is a Yale graduate. She continued acting while studying in the Ivy League, showing a rare ability to manage multiple high-stress responsibilities at once.

Foster has said that she is enamored by words more so than visuals, and we could see her being a powerful messenger for any political cause she chooses to champion. Thanks to her background as a fictional FBI agent, she might also have a working knowledge of the American justice system, which wouldn’t hurt her political transition.