The Rise of Celebrity Political Culture in the United States: From Roosevelt to Nixon
The creation of a celebrity political culture in the United States can be traced back to the 1930s and 1940s when Hollywood celebrities began using their fame and influence to promote political causes and candidates. Showbiz Politics, written by Kathryn Cramer Brownell, provides a detailed account of how Hollywood celebrities worked to promote the Democratic Party and Franklin D (Brownell, 2014). Roosevelt during this period, as well as the role of television and the “star system” in later years. During the 1930s, Hollywood was largely made up of Jewish immigrants who had fled from Europe. Many of these immigrants were deeply committed to progressive causes and saw their newfound success in Hollywood as a way to promote their political beliefs (Brownell, 2014). They began to use their connections and influence to support the Democratic Party and Franklin D. Roosevelt, whom they saw as a champion of the working class.
One of the most influential of these Hollywood activists was screenwriter Ben Hecht, who helped to organize a group of Hollywood celebrities known as the Hollywood Anti-Nazi League. This group, which included actors such as Humphrey Bogart and James Cagney, worked to raise awareness of the Nazi threat and to support Roosevelt’s efforts to aid the Allies in World War II. After the war, Hollywood celebrities continued to play a role in politics, but their influence began to shift from the movie theaters to the television screen. Under the presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower, television became a dominant force in American politics, and celebrities began to use their fame to promote political causes on the small screen. One of the most notable examples was the “Eisenhower Hour,” a weekly television program Ronald Reagan hosted in the early 1950s. The show featured interviews with political figures and discussions of current events, and it helped to establish Reagan as a political force in his own right.
As television grew in importance, the “star system” that had been a staple of Hollywood began to make its way into politics. It was especially true during the presidency of Richard Nixon, who was a master of media manipulation and understood the power of celebrity endorsements. Nixon attracted support from several high-profile celebrities, including Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and John Wayne. These endorsements helped create a sense of glamour and excitement around Nixon’s candidacy and helped cement celebrities’ role in American politics.
Star Power: How Celebrity Candidacies Have Changed American Politics
When celebrities run for office, they often bring a certain level of fame and recognition that can be a powerful asset in political campaigns. Lauren Wright’s book Star Power explores the success of celebrity politicians in the United States, examining the factors contributing to their victories and how they differ from traditional politicians (Wright, 2019). Name recognition is one of the key factors contributing to celebrity politicians’ success. Because celebrities are already well-known to the public, they can spend less time and money on building name recognition and establishing themselves as credible candidates. It was true for George Murphy, a well-known Hollywood actor before he ran for office in California. Murphy’s name recognition helped him to win a seat in the US Senate, despite having no prior political experience.
Another factor contributing to celebrity politicians’ success is the ability to communicate effectively. Celebrities are often skilled at communicating with large audiences, whether it is through acting, singing, or other forms of performance (Wright, 2019). This skill can be valuable in political campaigns, as candidates must connect with voters and articulate their ideas clearly and compellingly. Ronald Reagan was a master of this skill, using his background as an actor to great effect during his campaigns for governor of California and later president of the United States.
In addition to these factors, celebrity politicians can often tap into a sense of nostalgia or sentimentality among voters. It was true for both Reagan and Donald Trump and would appeal to nostalgia for a bygone era when things were perceived to be more straightforward. Reagan’s message of “Morning in America” and Trump’s slogan of “Make America Great Again” both tapped into this sentiment and helped to energize their supporters (Wright, 2019). However, it is important to note that not all celebrity politicians are successful. While name recognition and communication skills can be valuable assets, more is needed to win an election. Celebrity politicians face unique challenges, such as skepticism from political insiders and questions about their qualifications and experience. Despite these challenges, celebrity politicians have been remarkably successful overall. George Murphy, Ronald Reagan, and Donald Trump are just a few examples of celebrities who were able to parlay their fame into successful political careers. In each case, these politicians could tap into a sense of nostalgia and communicate effectively with voters, building a strong base of support that helped them win elections and achieve political power.
Celebrity Influence in American Politics: Examples of Advocacy and Endorsements
Celebrities have long been involved in political activism, using their fame and influence to draw attention to important issues and endorse political candidates. Mark Harvey’s book Celebrity Influence explores how celebrities can influence change on issues and in political campaigns (Harvey, 2018). One example of a celebrity who influenced change on an issue is Angelina Jolie. Jolie has been a vocal advocate for human rights and used her celebrity platform to draw attention to refugee rights, women’s health, and child protection. In 2010, Jolie traveled to Ecuador to meet with refugees who had fled violence and persecution in neighboring Colombia. Her visit helped to draw attention to the refugee crisis and put pressure on the Ecuadorian government to provide better support for refugees.
Another example of a celebrity who influenced the outcome of a political campaign is Oprah Winfrey. In 2008, Winfrey endorsed Barack Obama for president, publicly supporting his candidacy and campaigning on his behalf. The media widely covered her endorsement and helped boost Obama’s support among African-American voters and women. Some analysts have estimated that Winfrey’s endorsement may have been worth as many as one million votes for Obama in the Democratic primaries. However, it is important to note that the influence of celebrity endorsements and activism is sometimes complicated. Harvey’s (2018) book suggests that the impact of celebrity influence can be difficult to measure and that several factors can limit the effectiveness of celebrity activism and endorsements.
For example, celebrities may face skepticism from the public or political insiders who view their political involvement as superficial or self-serving. Additionally, celebrities may need more expertise or knowledge in the areas they are advocating for, which can limit their ability to influence policy or produce lasting change. Despite these challenges, evidence suggests that celebrities can play an important role in shaping public opinion and influencing political outcomes. By drawing attention to important issues and supporting political candidates, celebrities can help mobilize voters and bring about positive change. However, the extent of their influence is likely to depend on various factors, including the specific issue or candidate involved, the context of the political campaign, and the broader political climate.
References
Brownell, K. C. (2014). Showbiz politics: Hollywood in American political life. UNC Press Books.
Harvey, M. (2018). Celebrity influence: Politics, persuasion, and issue-based advocacy. University Press of Kansas.
Wright, L. (2019). Star power: American democracy in the age of the celebrity candidate. Routledge.