Looks like Matthew McConaughey may be the latest celebrity to use his fame to further his political ambitions.
The 51-year-old is said to be “seriously considering” running for the governor of Texas in 2022 but is yet to determine whether he would be “most useful” in public office.
Speaking to US television personality Al Roker earlier this month, the Interstellar actor said: “It’s a great and an honourable thing to be able to consider.“
I want to get into a leadership role in the next chapter of my life. Now, what role am I going to be most useful in? I don’t know that that’s in a political position or if that’s me as a free agent. So that’s something I’m personally working on. What is my position of most use in a leadership role?”
The actor previously hinted at his political ambitions when he told a Texas radio station in January that “it’s something I’m going to think about”.
Matthew isn’t the only Hollywood star to consider making the jump from acting to politics.
Clint Eastwood
In 1985, the city council in Clint’s adopted hometown of Carmel, California, gave him what he alleged to be an extraordinary amount of grief over plans to erect office buildings on a property he owned within city limits. The next year he sought revenge by running for mayor. The actor and director won with 72,5% of the votes and served for two years.
Cynthia Nixon
She announced she would be running for governor of New York in 2018. "New York is my home. I've never lived anywhere else," the actress said a campaign video. "I was given chances I just don't see for most of New York's kids today. Our leaders are letting us down." Despite her noble political aspirations, the Sex and the City star lost to Andrew Cuomo.
Roseanne Barr
In 2012, Roseanne decided to try her luck in politics, running for the highest political office in the US. According to a Huffington Post report, her presidential campaign promises were centred around “marijuana legalisation, environmental preservation, ending the wars overseas and equal rights”. She ended up placing sixth in the election.
Kanye West
In July 2020, the rapper announced he was running for president of the United States and famously spent nearly $6 million of his own money on the campaign. Kanye suspended his campaign on 4 November 2020, the morning after Election Day, following a bizarre outburst at his election rally. But it probably isn’t the last we’ve seen of him, as he’s already expressed an interest in running again in 2024.
Stacey Dash
The Clueless star filed paperwork in early 2018 announcing plans to run for congress in California. However, she withdrew a month later. "At this point, I believe that the overall bitterness surrounding our political process, participating in the rigors of campaigning and holding elected office would be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of my family," she said in a statement to CNN. "I would never want to betray the personal and spiritual principles I believe in most: that my God and my family come first."
Arnold Schwarzenegger
For most of his career, Arnie was known for starring in action movies and showing off his gym-honed physique. It wasn't until the early 2000s that the public learnt of his political ambitions. He became governor of California in 2003 and served until 2011.
Jerry Springer
The talk-show host ran for congress in Cincinnati in 1970 but didn’t make it. A year later he won a seat on the Cincinnati City Council, but he resigned in 1974 after a prosecution scandal. In 1977, he was elected mayor of Cincinnati and served for one year. He then ran for governor of Ohio in 1982 – and lost.
Manny Pacquiao
He’s served as a senator in the Philippines since 2016 and the world champion boxer may have his sights set on president of the Philippines in 2022 – in fact, he already has the support of current president Rodrigo Duterte. "I told him when we were alone, I want him to become president," Duterte reportedly said at Manny’s 39th birthday party in 2017.
Shirley Temple
Despite starting out as a child actress, Shirley devoted a significant part of her life to political activism and public service. In 1967, she ran for a seat in Congress and lost but later became the US ambassador for Ghana and Czechoslovakia.
Sources: pagesix.com, wonderwall.com, people.com, menshealth.com, cnn.com, usatoday.com
