Singer Clay Aiken of "American Idol" fame announced on Wednesday, February 5, 2014, that he'll seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Rep. Renee Ellmers in North Carolina's 2nd Congressional District. Aiken is shown performing at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in December 2012.
Celebrity Politicians —
Singer Clay Aiken of "American Idol" fame announced on Wednesday, February 5, 2014, that he'll seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Rep. Renee Ellmers in North Carolina's 2nd Congressional District. Aiken is shown performing at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in December 2012.
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Hip-hop icon Wyclef Jean filed the paperwork to run for the president of Haiti, but was denied.
Celebrity Politicians —
Hip-hop icon Wyclef Jean filed the paperwork to run for the president of Haiti, but was denied.
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Actor Ben Jones played Cooter Davenport in the television show "Dukes of Hazzard." He went on to serve two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 1980s.
Celebrity Politicians —
Actor Ben Jones played Cooter Davenport in the television show "Dukes of Hazzard." He went on to serve two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 1980s.
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Sean Duffy, the "Real World: Boston" star who was elected to the House in 2010 and re-elected in 2012, shoots a video of himself on the Senate steps In Washington, D.C.
Celebrity Politicians —
Sean Duffy, the "Real World: Boston" star who was elected to the House in 2010 and re-elected in 2012, shoots a video of himself on the Senate steps In Washington, D.C.
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Talk show host Jerry Springer was elected to the Cincinnati, Ohio, City Council in 1971. His resignation over a scandal involving his hiring a prostitute halted his political career, but his celebrity increased as "The Jerry Springer Show" became a hit talk show.
Celebrity Politicians —
Talk show host Jerry Springer was elected to the Cincinnati, Ohio, City Council in 1971. His resignation over a scandal involving his hiring a prostitute halted his political career, but his celebrity increased as "The Jerry Springer Show" became a hit talk show.
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Ronald Reagan made more than 50 movies before pursuing the governorship of California and eventually serving in the Oval Office for two terms, 1981-1989. He's pictured here in a scene from the "Death Valley Days" TV show in 1965.
Celebrity Politicians —
Ronald Reagan made more than 50 movies before pursuing the governorship of California and eventually serving in the Oval Office for two terms, 1981-1989. He's pictured here in a scene from the "Death Valley Days" TV show in 1965.
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Clint Eastwood managed to make a few movies while serving as mayer of Camel-by-the-Sea, California, for one term in the 1980s. Here he's seen on voting day.
Celebrity Politicians —
Clint Eastwood managed to make a few movies while serving as mayer of Camel-by-the-Sea, California, for one term in the 1980s. Here he's seen on voting day.
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Former WWF wrestler Jesse Ventura served as governor of Minnesota from 1991 to 1995.
Celebrity Politicians —
Former WWF wrestler Jesse Ventura served as governor of Minnesota from 1991 to 1995.
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Singer Sonny Bono, of Sonny and Cher fame, first served as mayor of Palm Springs, California, before taking the office as U.S. House representative for California's 44th district. His term was cut short by his death in 1998.
Celebrity Politicians —
Singer Sonny Bono, of Sonny and Cher fame, first served as mayor of Palm Springs, California, before taking the office as U.S. House representative for California's 44th district. His term was cut short by his death in 1998.
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Actor Fred Thompson, known for his stint on "Law & Order," served as U.S. senator for Tennessee from 1994 to 2003. He made an unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 2008.
Celebrity Politicians —
Actor Fred Thompson, known for his stint on "Law & Order," served as U.S. senator for Tennessee from 1994 to 2003. He made an unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 2008.
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"Diff'rent Strokes" child star Gary Coleman put his name in the hat for governor of California in the much-publicized 2003 recall election that Arnold Schwarzenegger went on win.
Celebrity Politicians —
"Diff'rent Strokes" child star Gary Coleman put his name in the hat for governor of California in the much-publicized 2003 recall election that Arnold Schwarzenegger went on win.
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Action film star Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected governor of California on October 7, 2003, and has since been re-elected.
Celebrity Politicians —
Action film star Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected governor of California on October 7, 2003, and has since been re-elected.
Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images/File
In November 2007, television personality Stephen Colbert's presidential bid was cut short when he was denied a place on the ballot. Despite making a mark in the polls, his one-state campaign was viewed more as a publicity stunt by party officials.
Celebrity Politicians —
In November 2007, television personality Stephen Colbert's presidential bid was cut short when he was denied a place on the ballot. Despite making a mark in the polls, his one-state campaign was viewed more as a publicity stunt by party officials.
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Comedian Al Franken, one of the original writers on "Saturday Night Live," won a narrow race for senator of Minnesota in 2008.
Celebrity Politicians —
Comedian Al Franken, one of the original writers on "Saturday Night Live," won a narrow race for senator of Minnesota in 2008.
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Fred Grandy, best known for his role as Gopher on "The Love Boat," started his political career shortly after graduating from Harvard as an aide to a U.S. Representative. Following his popular acting gig he returned to his home state of Iowa to become a U.S. Congressman.
Celebrity Politicians —
Fred Grandy, best known for his role as Gopher on "The Love Boat," started his political career shortly after graduating from Harvard as an aide to a U.S. Representative. Following his popular acting gig he returned to his home state of Iowa to become a U.S. Congressman.
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