17 Celebrity-Politicians That Actually Happened

I keep forgetting about Jerry!

1. Ambassador Sidney Poitier

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In April 1997, Poitier was appointed ambassador of the Bahamas to Japan.

2. Chief of Protocol Shirley Temple Black

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This child star grew up to be a busy diplomat! She served under four presidents, as U.S. delegate to the United Nations in 1969 (Nixon), ambassador to Ghana from 1974-1976 and Chief of Protocol from 1976-977 (Ford), foreign affairs officer-expert from 1981-1989 (Reagan), and ambassador to Czechoslovakia from 1989-1992 (Bush),

3. Mayor Clint Eastwood

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Dirty Harry ran the city of Carmel, California from 1986-1988.

4. Speechwriter Ben Stein

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Ben Stein earned some of his money as a speechwriter and lawyer for Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford.

5. Cincinnati Mayor Jerry Springer

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Always a fun factoid!

6. Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura

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"The Body" and fellow buff celebrity governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

7. Congressman Sonny Bono

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From 1995-1998, Cher's former singing partner and lover represented California's 44th district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

8. Senator Fred Thompson

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This guy is half-politician, half-celebrity, successfully splitting his time between the political stage and silver screen.

9. Almost Congressman Clay Aiken

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Almost! But not quite.

10. Senator Al Franken

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After saving his family, Stuart Smalley ran and won a seat representing Minnesota in the U.S. Senate.

11. U.S. Senator Oprah Winfrey

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Just kidding! If only...

12. Senate Hopeful Linda McMahon

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The former President of the World Wrestling Federation unsuccessfully ran for the Republican nomination in the 2010 U.S. Senate race in Connecticut.

13. Congressman Cooter

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After his role in The Dukes of Hazzard, Ben Jones represented Georgia's 4th district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

14. Ex-Labour MP Glenda Jackson

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She won two Oscars and a seat in the British Parliament.

15. The Governator

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He's back doing movies!

16. U.S. Presidential Candidate Donald Trump

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Still happening, but from now on it always will have happened.

17. And of course...

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The ultimate proof that changing careers is a thing.