Hollywood in America and Bollywood in India are the two biggest demographics that recruit actors into political office. The Philippines also seem to have a strong love affair with their actors. Egypt, Russia, the UK, Pakistan, and many other countries have or have had entertainers in office as well. Italy even elected porn star Ilona “Cuddles” Staller into Parliament.

The most well known U.S. actors-turned-politicians are Arnold “The Governator” Schwarzenegger (Governor of California), Ronald Reagan (Governor of California, President of the U.S.), Shirley Temple Black (U.S. diplomat, Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia, Chief of Protocol of the United States), and now Donald Trump (President of the U.S.). However, it’s notable that Jesse Ventura was Governor of Minnesota, Clint Eastwood was Mayor of Carmel, California, and Jerry Springer was Mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio. Among many, many others.

With so many countries exhibiting this pattern, this phenomenon goes beyond individual culture. Certainly star power and political power have some important things in common like charismatic presence, standing up to public scrutiny, and delivering speeches in front of cameras. I think some humans do have trouble separating fantasy from fact, but I think others are hopeful that someone with star power can change the bureaucratic process a country has been locked in.

History has showed mixed results for these politicians. Some, like Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States of America, do well in office and remain there. Others, like Amitabh Bachchan, Indian Parliament member, do not, and instead return to their “roots” in film. And yet there are those, like Schwarzenegger, who have found success in both worlds, and have embraced each.