Who are the best actors who became politicians?

Hollywood dreamers turned policy makers, comedians turned senators, action stars turned governors — the crossover between performance and politics runs deeper than you might think. Who had the bigger second act?

Ronald Reagan

Hollywood actor who became the 40th President of the United States, serving two terms from 1981 to 1989.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger

Action movie star who served as Governor of California from 2003 to 2011.

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Jesse Ventura

Professional wrestler and action movie actor who became the 38th Governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003.

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Volodymyr Zelensky

Ukrainian comedian and actor who became the President of Ukraine in 2019, later leading the country through war with Russia.

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Clint Eastwood

Iconic film star who served as Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California from 1986 to 1988.

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Sonny Bono

Singer and entertainer who became Mayor of Palm Springs and then a Republican Congressman from California.

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Fred Thompson

Character actor known for Law and Order who served as U.S. Senator from Tennessee and ran for the Republican presidential nomination.

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Al Franken

Saturday Night Live comedian and writer who served as U.S. Senator from Minnesota from 2009 to 2018.

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Glenda Jackson

Two-time Oscar-winning British actress who served as a Labour Member of Parliament for 23 years.

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Shirley Temple

Child actress and Hollywood icon who later served as U.S. Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia.

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Joseph Estrada

Filipino action film star who served as President of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001.

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George Murphy

Hollywood musical actor who served as Republican U.S. Senator from California from 1965 to 1971.

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