10 celebrities who ran political office: From Kanye West to Arnold Schwarzenegger

A look at famous figures like Kanye West and Arnold Schwarzenegger who tried to turn stardom into public service.

As the United States wraps up another Election Day, where Kamala Harris and Donald Trump vie for the presidency, it's a reminder that Trump isn’t the first — and likely won’t be the last — celebrity to transition from entertainment to politics. Here's a roundup of famous figures who jumped into the political arena, some even winning seats in office.

Kanye West
In 2020, music icon Kanye West made headlines with his presidential run, announcing on Twitter: “We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States 🇺🇸! #2020VISION." Although West had considered a presidential bid for years, he ultimately dropped out.

 

 

 

 

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Clint Eastwood
Best known for his legendary film career, Clint Eastwood stepped into politics as a former non-partisan mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, from 1986 to 1988.

Caitlyn Jenner
The former Olympian and reality star Caitlyn Jenner entered the political scene in 2021, running on the Republican ticket to replace California Gov. Gavin Newsom. She aimed to tackle California’s economic issues but ultimately garnered just 1% of the vote in the special election.

Jerry Springer
Before becoming a TV icon, Jerry Springer ran for Congress in 1970 and served as mayor of Cincinnati from 1977 to 1978.

Stacey Dash
Known for her role in Clueless, Stacey Dash briefly ran for Congress in California in 2018, but she withdrew after nearly a month.

Arnold Schwarzenegger
Famed as the Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger served two terms as governor of California from 2003 to 2011, marking a significant Hollywood-to-politics transition.

Howard Stern
Radio personality Howard Stern briefly ran for New York governor in 1994 under the Libertarian ticket, advocating for policies like reinstating the death penalty and improving traffic. He eventually dropped out, refusing to disclose his finances.

Cynthia Nixon
In 2018, Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon ran for governor of New York, emphasizing her commitment to her home state. Although she lost to Andrew Cuomo, her campaign brought attention to important issues.

Wyclef Jean
The Fugees founder, Wyclef Jean, announced a presidential bid for Haiti in 2010. However, his candidacy was denied by Haiti’s electoral council due to residency requirements.

Diane Neal
Law & Order: SVU actress Diane Neal ran as an Independent in the 2018 New York Congressional election, but she ultimately lost to a Democratic candidate.

Ronald Reagan
Known as the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan’s political journey began after his Hollywood career, which spanned almost 30 years before his first term as president in 1981.