In recent years, there have been an increased number of celebrities that have ran for public office with many being successful. One of the earliest being Ronald Reagan who was an actor and became the President of the United States, recently Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky have both also been examples of this.
Other examples include:
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Arnold Schwarznegger
Famous for:
The young Austrian bodybuilder won Mr Universe, aged just 20. He went on to star in numerous films - most famously the Terminator franchise.
Career in politics:
Was elected Governor of California in 2003, serving two terms. -
Katie Price
Famous for:
Her surgically-enhanced glamour modelling career. Her numerous marriages. Being a best-selling author. Coming runner-up in the selection process to represent the UK at the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest. Her outspoken comments on just about everything.
Career in politics:
She pledged free plastic surgery for all, more nudist beaches and a ban on parking tickets in her campaign as an independent candidate in the Manchester seat of Stretford and Urmston in 2001.
Despite promising “a bigger, betta [sic] future”, Ms Price won just 713 votes and lost her deposit. -
Ronald Reagan
Famous for:
Film actor who starred in westerns, including Santa Fe Trail with Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland, and the Oscar-nominated King’s Row.
Career in politics:
Hollywood actor Reagan went on to serve first as governor of California and then as US president from 1981 to 1989. -
Al Murray
Famous for:
Being a regular on the stand-up and television satire circuits. Murray’s outspoken character The Pub Landlord was featured in many comedy sketch shows before the British comedian landed his own chat show, Al Murray’s Happy Hour.
Career in politics:
Murray announced he would run in the 2015 election in the South Thanet constituency - the same seat being contested by UKIP leader Nigel Farage. He won just 318 votes. -
Wyclef Jean
Famous for:
The Haitian rapper/singer/producer won three Grammys as part of hip-hop group The Fugees. He went on to have a successful solo career.
Career in politics:
In 2010, after helping with the earthquake relief effort, Wyclef formally filed papers as a candidate for the Haitian presidential election.
He was disqualified, however, after it emerged he did not fulfil the residency requirement of living in the country for five years before the election.