# Who is the best politician turned actor?

> Heads of state, senators, and governors who stepped in front of the camera — whether for iconic film careers or unforgettable cameos. Who pulled it off best?

*By YPB Team · Published April 10, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-best-politician-turned-actor*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Ronald Reagan**
   Hollywood star of over 50 films including Kings Row who became the 40th President of the United States.
2. **Arnold Schwarzenegger**
   Action superstar and Governor of California who starred in the Terminator and Predator franchises.
3. **Volodymyr Zelenskyy**
   Ukrainian comedian and star of Servant of the People who became President of Ukraine in 2019.
4. **Fred Thompson**
   U.S. Senator from Tennessee who acted in The Hunt for Red October, Die Hard 2, and Law & Order.
5. **Glenda Jackson**
   Two-time Oscar-winning actress for Women in Love and A Touch of Class who served as a British MP for 23 years.
6. **Clint Eastwood**
   Iconic actor and director of Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby who served as Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
7. **Jesse Ventura**
   Governor of Minnesota who acted in Predator and The Running Man alongside Schwarzenegger.
8. **Al Franken**
   U.S. Senator and former SNL writer-performer who starred in Stuart Saves His Family.
9. **Shirley Temple**
   Legendary child star of the 1930s who later served as U.S. Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia.
10. **Sonny Bono**
   U.S. Congressman and half of Sonny & Cher who appeared in Hairspray and Airplane II.
11. **Donald Trump**
   45th U.S. President who made cameos in Home Alone 2, Zoolander, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
12. **Ben Jones**
   U.S. Congressman from Georgia best known for playing Cooter Davenport on The Dukes of Hazzard.
13. **Patrick Leahy**
   U.S. Senator and lifelong Batman fan who had cameos in four Batman films including The Dark Knight.
14. **Joseph Estrada**
   President of the Philippines who was one of the country's biggest movie stars with over 100 films.
15. **Rudy Giuliani**
   Former NYC Mayor who made cameos in Seinfeld, Anger Management, and numerous other productions.

Tags: movies, celebrities, actors, politics