Cynthia Nixon: The ‘Sex and the City’ actress and New York native ran for Governor of New York back in 2018. 'I was given chances I just don’t see for most of New York’s kids today. Our leaders are letting us down,' she said when she launched her political campaign. She failed to unseat the incumbent Andrew Cuomo who has held the position since 2011. Reuters
Cynthia Nixon: The ‘Sex and the City’ actress and New York native ran for Governor of New York back in 2018. 'I was given chances I just don’t see for most of New York’s kids today. Our leaders are letting us down,' she said when she launched her political campaign. She failed to unseat the incumbent Andrew Cuomo who has held the position since 2011. Reuters
Amitabh Bachchan: The Bollywood superstar took a break from acting in 1984 to contest Allahabad's seat for the 8th Lok Sabha. He won by one of the highest victory margins in general election history with 68.2 per cent of the vote, but resigned after three years, calling politics a ‘cesspool’. Reuters
Amitabh Bachchan: The Bollywood superstar took a break from acting in 1984 to contest Allahabad's seat for the 8th Lok Sabha. He won by one of the highest victory margins in general election history with 68.2 per cent of the vote, but resigned after three years, calling politics a ‘cesspool’. Reuters
Donald Trump: The New York businessman and host of 'The Apprentice' was elected the 45th president of the US in 2016 after beating Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. He lasted just one term and became the only president in history to be impeached twice. AFP
Donald Trump: The New York businessman and host of 'The Apprentice' was elected the 45th president of the US in 2016 after beating Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. He lasted just one term and became the only president in history to be impeached twice. AFP
Arnold Schwarzenegger: Famously nicknamed the ‘Governator’, the action star ran for office and became governor of California in 2003 and again in 2006. He left office in January 2011, after completing his second term, the most amount of time allowed by law. Reuters
Arnold Schwarzenegger: Famously nicknamed the ‘Governator’, the action star ran for office and became governor of California in 2003 and again in 2006. He left office in January 2011, after completing his second term, the most amount of time allowed by law. Reuters
Jesse Ventura: The American former professional wrestler, who was nicknamed ‘The Body’, became mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota from 1991 to 1995 and the 38th governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003. Newsmakers
Jesse Ventura: The American former professional wrestler, who was nicknamed ‘The Body’, became mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota from 1991 to 1995 and the 38th governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003. Newsmakers
Shaquille O’Neal: In December 2016, the former NBA star became a sworn deputy in Clayton County, and this year is set to become the director of community relations for the Henry County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia. He has also announced his plans to run for Sheriff in 2024, but hasn’t yet said which state he will be running in. AP
Shaquille O’Neal: In December 2016, the former NBA star became a sworn deputy in Clayton County, and this year is set to become the director of community relations for the Henry County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia. He has also announced his plans to run for Sheriff in 2024, but hasn’t yet said which state he will be running in. AP
Shirley Temple: The world-famous child star quit show business at the age of 22 in 1950 and later in 1967 ran for Congress in the Republican primary for California’s 11th district, which she lost. However, after Secretary of State Henry Kissinger overheard her discussing West Africa, he tapped her to serve as the US Ambassador to Ghana and later Czechoslovakia. AP
Shirley Temple: The world-famous child star quit show business at the age of 22 in 1950 and later in 1967 ran for Congress in the Republican primary for California’s 11th district, which she lost. However, after Secretary of State Henry Kissinger overheard her discussing West Africa, he tapped her to serve as the US Ambassador to Ghana and later Czechoslovakia. AP
Clint Eastwood: In 1986, the actor and director ran for mayor of his California hometown, Carmel, winning 72.5 per cent of the vote. He served his two-year term but didn't seek re-election. Rumours abounded he had only run because his plans to put up a building beside his restaurant had been rejected by the town’s council. Reuters
Clint Eastwood: In 1986, the actor and director ran for mayor of his California hometown, Carmel, winning 72.5 per cent of the vote. He served his two-year term but didn't seek re-election. Rumours abounded he had only run because his plans to put up a building beside his restaurant had been rejected by the town’s council. Reuters
Wyclef Jean: The Haitian native and former Fugee ran for president of the country following the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Although he filed the paperwork, he didn't meet Haiti’s five-year residency requirement to run for the role. Getty Images
Wyclef Jean: The Haitian native and former Fugee ran for president of the country following the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Although he filed the paperwork, he didn't meet Haiti’s five-year residency requirement to run for the role. Getty Images
Jerry Springer: Before becoming the star of his eponymous talk show, Springer held the post of mayor of Cincinnati from 1977 to 1978, following an unsuccessful run for Congress in 1970. WireImage
Jerry Springer: Before becoming the star of his eponymous talk show, Springer held the post of mayor of Cincinnati from 1977 to 1978, following an unsuccessful run for Congress in 1970. WireImage
Glenda Jackson: The double Oscar-winning British actress quit both Hollywood and the theatre to turn to politics in 1992, winning a seat in the House of Commons as a Labour candidate. Failing in her 2000 bid to become mayor of London, she successfully defended her parliamentary seat in 1997, 2001, 2005 and 2010. Getty Images
Glenda Jackson: The double Oscar-winning British actress quit both Hollywood and the theatre to turn to politics in 1992, winning a seat in the House of Commons as a Labour candidate. Failing in her 2000 bid to become mayor of London, she successfully defended her parliamentary seat in 1997, 2001, 2005 and 2010. Getty Images
Ronald Reagan: The former actor, who starred in ‘Wagon Train’ and ‘The Killers’, began his political career as a Democrat, but switched to the right, becoming a Republican and the 40th President of the US from 1981 to 1989. AP
Ronald Reagan: The former actor, who starred in ‘Wagon Train’ and ‘The Killers’, began his political career as a Democrat, but switched to the right, becoming a Republican and the 40th President of the US from 1981 to 1989. AP
Sebastian Coe: The British athlete won four medals at the 1980 and 1984 Olympic Games, including the 1,500 metres gold medal in Moscow. He also famously set three world records in the space of 41 days in 1979. The middle-distance runner became a Conservative MP from 1992 to 1997, and after becoming a peer in 2000, was behind London's successful bid to host the 2012 Olympics. Pawan Singh / The National
Sebastian Coe: The British athlete won four medals at the 1980 and 1984 Olympic Games, including the 1,500 metres gold medal in Moscow. He also famously set three world records in the space of 41 days in 1979. The middle-distance runner became a Conservative MP from 1992 to 1997, and after becoming a peer in 2000, was behind London's successful bid to host the 2012 Olympics. Pawan Singh / The National
Glenn Jacobs: Wrestling fans will know Glenn Jacobs by his ring name, Kane. In 2018, running for the Republican party, he was elected mayor of Knox County in Tennessee. Getty Images
Glenn Jacobs: Wrestling fans will know Glenn Jacobs by his ring name, Kane. In 2018, running for the Republican party, he was elected mayor of Knox County in Tennessee. Getty Images
Ruben Blades: The popular Panamanian salsa musician had also carved a successful career as an actor before he ran for president of Panama in 1994. Although unsuccessful, in 2004 he was appointed as minister of tourism by President Martin Torrijos. AFP
Ruben Blades: The popular Panamanian salsa musician had also carved a successful career as an actor before he ran for president of Panama in 1994. Although unsuccessful, in 2004 he was appointed as minister of tourism by President Martin Torrijos. AFP
Sonny Bono: Singer-songwriter Sonny Bono - famous for his hit ‘I Got You Babe’ with his then-wife Cher - became mayor of Palm Springs, California from 1988 to 1992, and created the Palm Springs International Film Festival. He was later elected to the House of Representatives in 1994 to represent California’s 44th congressional district. AFP
Sonny Bono: Singer-songwriter Sonny Bono - famous for his hit ‘I Got You Babe’ with his then-wife Cher - became mayor of Palm Springs, California from 1988 to 1992, and created the Palm Springs International Film Festival. He was later elected to the House of Representatives in 1994 to represent California’s 44th congressional district. AFP
Howard Stern: The shock jock joined the 1994 race for New York Governor against incumbent Mario Cuomo and hopeful George Pataki, running as a Libertarian. His election proposals included bringing back the death penalty and making construction workers work at night. He dropped out of the race after refusing to release his personal finances. AFP
Howard Stern: The shock jock joined the 1994 race for New York Governor against incumbent Mario Cuomo and hopeful George Pataki, running as a Libertarian. His election proposals included bringing back the death penalty and making construction workers work at night. He dropped out of the race after refusing to release his personal finances. AFP
Clay Aiken: Aiken went from runner-up on the second season of ‘American Idol’ to running for Congress as a democrat in North Carolina in 2014. He lost against the incumbent, Republican Renee Ellmers. Getty Images
Clay Aiken: Aiken went from runner-up on the second season of ‘American Idol’ to running for Congress as a democrat in North Carolina in 2014. He lost against the incumbent, Republican Renee Ellmers. Getty Images

18 celebrities who have run for political office: from Clint Eastwood to Amitabh Bachchan

These stars of stage, screen and the wrestling ring prove you don’t have to be a career politician to get involved with politics

Gemma White
Dubai

February 01, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

All things considered, actors, actresses and sports people are actually perfectly positioned to move into politics when they desire a change of career. After all, their roles already involve putting in long hours, plenty of diplomacy and the kind of drive and resolve that gets you to, and keeps you at, the top.

It’s little wonder then that politics has long held a fascination for those used to life in the spotlight.

Ever since John F Kennedy was elected the 35th President of the US in 1961, bringing some high-octane glamour to the White House, the line between show business and politics has become increasingly blurred. So much so that it seemed fitting that an actor – Ronald Reagan – would eventually hold the highest office in the US, becoming president in 1981.

And Reagan's was a precedent that paved the way not only for action star Arnold Schwarzenegger to become the governor of California, but also for reality TV star Donald Trump to become the 45th President of the US.

It's not just in America where politics crosses over into other high-profile arenas, either, as Bollywood legend, Amitabh Bachchan, proved with his 1984 landslide victory while contesting Allahabad's seat for the Lok Sabha.

And in the UK, double Oscar-winning actress Glenda Jackson, 84, won a seat in the House of Commons as a Labour candidate and kept it for almost 20 years. She was only recently coaxed back into acting, after an almost two decade-long gap, to much critical acclaim in the BBC drama, Elizabeth is Missing.

From world-famous child star, Shirley Temple, landing a job as an Ambassador to Ghana after Henry Kissinger happened to overhear her talking about West Africa, to Oscar-winning actor and director Clint Eastwood becoming mayor simply because, if rumours are true, he wanted to secure himself planning permission, here are 18 stars who swapped the bright lights of stardom for the unforgiving spotlight of politics.

Scroll though the gallery above for the stars of stage, screen and sports who ran for various political positions across the globe.

Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

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Cultural fiesta

What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421,  Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day. 

ACL Elite (West) - fixtures

Monday, Sept 30

Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)

Tuesday, Oct 1
Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm)
Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)

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Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. 

Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?

The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.

A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.

Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.

The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.

When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

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While you're here
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
THE SPECS

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch

Power: 710bhp

Torque: 770Nm

Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds

Top Speed: 340km/h

Price: Dh1,000,885

On sale: now

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EGold%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMagomedomar%20Magomedomarov%20%E2%80%93%20Judo%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20%2B100kg%0D%3Cbr%3EKhaled%20Al%20Shehi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-62kg%0D%3Cbr%3EFaisal%20Al%20Ketbi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-85kg%0D%3Cbr%3EAsma%20Al%20Hosani%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20-52kg%0D%3Cbr%3EShamma%20Al%20Kalbani%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20-63kg%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESilver%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EOmar%20Al%20Marzooqi%20%E2%80%93%20Equestrian%20%E2%80%93%20Individual%20showjumping%0D%3Cbr%3EBishrelt%20Khorloodoi%20%E2%80%93%20Judo%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20-52kg%0D%3Cbr%3EKhalid%20Al%20Blooshi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-62kg%0D%3Cbr%3EMohamed%20Al%20Suwaidi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-69kg%0D%3Cbr%3EBalqees%20Abdulla%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20-48kg%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBronze%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EHawraa%20Alajmi%20%E2%80%93%20Karate%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20kumite%20-50kg%0D%3Cbr%3EAhmed%20Al%20Mansoori%20%E2%80%93%20Cycling%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20omnium%0D%3Cbr%3EAbdullah%20Al%20Marri%20%E2%80%93%20Equestrian%20%E2%80%93%20Individual%20showjumping%0D%3Cbr%3ETeam%20UAE%20%E2%80%93%20Equestrian%20%E2%80%93%20Team%20showjumping%0D%3Cbr%3EDzhafar%20Kostoev%20%E2%80%93%20Judo%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-100kg%0D%3Cbr%3ENarmandakh%20Bayanmunkh%20%E2%80%93%20Judo%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-66kg%0D%3Cbr%3EGrigorian%20Aram%20%E2%80%93%20Judo%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-90kg%0D%3Cbr%3EMahdi%20Al%20Awlaqi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-77kg%0D%3Cbr%3ESaeed%20Al%20Kubaisi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-85kg%0D%3Cbr%3EShamsa%20Al%20Ameri%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20-57kg%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
While you're here
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESally%20El-Hosaini%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENathalie%20Issa%2C%20Manal%20Issa%2C%20Ahmed%20Malek%20and%20Ali%20Suliman%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo

Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic

Power: 169bhp

Torque: 250Nm

Price: Dh54,500

On sale: now

The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League last-16, second leg:

Real Madrid 1 (Asensio 70'), Ajax 4 (Ziyech 7', Neres 18', Tadic 62', Schone 72')

Ajax win 5-3 on aggregate

8 traditional Jamaican dishes to try at Kingston 21

  1. Trench Town Rock: Jamaican-style curry goat served in a pastry basket with a carrot and potato garnish
  2. Rock Steady Jerk Chicken: chicken marinated for 24 hours and slow-cooked on the grill
  3. Mento Oxtail: flavoured oxtail stewed for five hours with herbs
  4. Ackee and salt fish: the national dish of Jamaica makes for a hearty breakfast
  5. Jamaican porridge: another breakfast favourite, can be made with peanut, cornmeal, banana and plantain
  6. Jamaican beef patty: a pastry with ground beef filling
  7. Hellshire Pon di Beach: Fresh fish with pickles
  8. Out of Many: traditional sweet potato pudding
Pope Francis in UAE
The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

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%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Ftravel%2F2023%2F01%2F12%2Fwhat-does-it-take-to-be-cabin-crew-at-one-of-the-worlds-best-airlines-in-2023%2F%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EEtihad%20Airways%20%3C%2Fa%3Eflies%20daily%20to%20the%20Maldives%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi.%20The%20journey%20takes%20four%20hours%20and%20return%20fares%20start%20from%20Dh3%2C995.%20Opt%20for%20the%203am%20flight%20and%20you%E2%80%99ll%20land%20at%206am%2C%20giving%20you%20the%20entire%20day%20to%20adjust%20to%20island%20time.%20%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERound%20trip%20speedboat%20transfers%20to%20the%20resort%20are%20bookable%20via%20Anantara%20and%20cost%20%24265%20per%20person.%20%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
While you're here
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amit%20Joshi%20and%20Aradhana%20Sah%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECast%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shahid%20Kapoor%2C%20Kriti%20Sanon%2C%20Dharmendra%2C%20Dimple%20Kapadia%2C%20Rakesh%20Bedi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Arts & Culture