# Who are the best actors who became politicians?

> From Hollywood to the halls of power, a surprising number of screen stars have swapped scripts for legislation — some reaching the very top. Cast your vote!

*By YPB Team · Published April 10, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-are-the-best-actors-who-became-politicians*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Ronald Reagan**
   Hollywood actor who became the 40th President of the United States, serving two terms from 1981 to 1989.
2. **Arnold Schwarzenegger**
   Action movie star who served as Governor of California from 2003 to 2011.
3. **Jesse Ventura**
   Professional wrestler and action movie actor who became the 38th Governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003.
4. **Volodymyr Zelensky**
   Ukrainian comedian and actor who became the President of Ukraine in 2019, later leading the country through war with Russia.
5. **Clint Eastwood**
   Iconic film star who served as Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California from 1986 to 1988.
6. **Sonny Bono**
   Singer and entertainer who became Mayor of Palm Springs and then a Republican Congressman from California.
7. **Fred Thompson**
   Character actor known for Law & Order who served as U.S. Senator from Tennessee and ran for the Republican presidential nomination.
8. **Al Franken**
   Saturday Night Live comedian and writer who served as U.S. Senator from Minnesota from 2009 to 2018.
9. **Glenda Jackson**
   Two-time Oscar-winning British actress who served as a Labour Member of Parliament for 23 years.
10. **Shirley Temple**
   Child actress and Hollywood icon who later served as U.S. Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia.
11. **Joseph Estrada**
   Filipino action film star who served as President of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001.
12. **George Murphy**
   Hollywood musical actor who served as Republican U.S. Senator from California from 1965 to 1971.

Tags: movies, celebrities, actors, politics