Every American actor ever quoted in this country on the subject of politics appears to be a rabid left-wing liberal. Of course, over the years there have been plenty of Hollywood right wingers (or fascist weirdos, as they’re usually portrayed): for starters, John Wayne, Charlton Heston, Ronald Reagan, Arnold Schwartzenneger, Adolphe Menjou, Bruce Willis and Kurt Russell. (There have even been a few genuine fascist weirdos.)
But mention Barak Obama to your average slice of American ham, and chances are they’ll mist up quicker than Kate Winslet at an awards ceremony. If their collected interviews are anything to go by, the majority of movie stars are Bush-hating, peacenicking, social medicine-loving, tree-hugging, religion-denying, climate-change bemoaning, wealth redistribution maniacs. To the nth degree.
A list of celebrities who publicly endorsed Obama’s Republican presidential rival, John McCain, way back in 2008 demonstrates that not everyone who appears on the big screen is a socialist holy roller – but the picture that emerges is nevertheless unencouraging.
Stand-up-and-be-counted Republicans include some obvious names – Clint Eastwood, Sylvester Stallone, Kurt Russell, Chuck Norris and Kelsey Grammer – but there are plenty of others, including some genuine top-flight talents: Robert Duvall, Jon Voight, James Caan, James Woods and Rip Torn. There’s even an acting Baldwin – Stephen – to balance his somewhat idiotic brother, Alex. There are a few country singers – to be expected, of course – but Rock Gods are notable by their absence (I’m pretty sure Pat Boone doesn’t count).
What’s depressing about the list is the average age, which is definitely north of 60. Presumably this is because their long careers have allowed them to stash away enough dosh to inure them to the threat of being blacklisted by the Hollywood Politburo. There are just over 30 pro-McCain actors listed by Wikipedia – Obama gets just under 200, and on average they’re about twenty years younger. Maybe the greater the distance between your childhood and the Second World War, the less trouble you had choosing a lawyer over a bona fide war hero as your president.
Boy, backing Obama must have taken some guts! Imagine the backlash those brave souls were risking by speaking out so boldly. Maybe Barak should have given them medals or something. (Not – of course – that their careers or bank balances would have suffered in any way as a result of their searing honesty.)
In the UK, the tendency is even more pronounced. The only regularly-quoted Conservative actor appears to be Julian Fellowes, and he’s a scriptwriter these days. Michael Caine switched from Labour to Conservative in November last year, true, but the downside is that he chose Frank Sinatra’s ”My Way” as one of his Desert Island Discs around the same time. Embarrassing or what.
As for Rock music – don’t bother asking. In fact the list of Tories from any branch of the entertainment industry is just plain shaming – Cilla Black? Jimmy Tarbuck? Michael Winner? Would these people make you feel good about voting Conservative?
But it’s not just the type of celebrity who’s willing to admit to rightist tendencies that’s depressing. More significantly, is there anyone in the British entertainment industry under the age of 60 who plans to vote Tory?
The answer, of course, is yes: there are probably hundreds, if not thousands, of thespians and rock stars and TV “personalities” itching to see that nice young David Cameron bring a touch of class back to Downing Street. I reckon between a quarter and a third of British adults are natural Tories. Even if sensible views are under-represented in the acting profession (probably) and popular music (definitely), that could still see one in five of them voting the right way – but the chances are that none of them will publicly confess to their vile, selfish proclivities.
So, why the reticence? Well, they’ve seen what happened to those who have previously admitted sharing the love that dare not speak its name. Remember Kenny Everett saying “let’s bomb Russia” at a Conservative rally in the ‘80s and the brouhaha that followed? Remember the stick Phil Collins got for suggesting he’d emigrate if Tony Blair got in? Julian Fellowes tells of being kicked off a TV series because the leftie star of the show refused to work with him on account of his political views.
So, if you enter stage right, you’ll be vilified and shunned. Display left-wing leanings and you’ll be lionized and feted.
If I were a talented young actor with right-wing tendencies, I’d keep my mouth shut too.
What a rotten state of affairs.
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