9 celebrities who left Hollywood behind to work in politics - and 6 who came back

Gabbi ShawApr 27, 2021, 21:24 IST

Caitlyn Jenner.Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images

Caitlyn Jenner just announced she is running for governor of California.
She's not the only celebrity to pivot towards politics.
Sometimes this move is permanent, but others end up eventually returning to show business.

Donald Trump was famous in the world of real estate, but he enjoyed mainstream success as the host of "The Apprentice." He was elected the 46th president of the United States in 2016.

President Trump. Win McNamee/Getty Images

Donald Trump was famous in the world of real estate, but he enjoyed mainstream success as the host of "The Apprentice." He was elected the 46th president of the United States in 2016.

Caitlyn Jenner announced her run for governor of California in April 2021.

Caitlyn Jenner. Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images

Ronald Reagan went from president of the Screen Actors Guild to governor of California to president of the United States.

President Reagan. Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

Child actress Shirley Temple retired from acting at 22 and dedicated the rest of her life to public service.

Shirley Temple Black. AP

Al Franken began his career at "Saturday Night Live," but he eventually left the world of entertainment to run for the US Senate representing Minnesota. He later resigned due to allegations of sexual misconduct.

Al Franken. AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Al Franken began his career at "Saturday Night Live," but he eventually left the world of entertainment to run for the US Senate representing Minnesota. He later resigned due to allegations of sexual misconduct.

Sean Duffy first appeared on TV screens on the sixth season of "The Real World" in 1997. He went on to become the US representative for Wisconsin's 7th congressional district.

Sean Duffy. AP

Sean Duffy first appeared on TV screens on the sixth season of "The Real World" in 1997. He went on to become the US representative for Wisconsin's 7th congressional district.

Sonny Bono was part of the musical duo Sonny & Cher with ex-wife Cher, but he was elected mayor of Palm Springs, California, and served as a California congressman.

Sonny Bono. AP/Joe Marquette

Former pro-wrestler Jesse Ventura served as the 38th governor of Minnesota.

Jesse Ventura. Joe Corrigan/Getty Images

Kevin Johnson is a former professional basketball player who went on to become the first Black mayor of Sacramento, California, in 2008.

Kevin Johnson. Stephen Lam/Getty

Cynthia Nixon ran for governor of New York in 2018. She lost the primary - and now she's set to reprise her role as Miranda Hobbes in the "Sex and the City" revival this year.

Cynthia Nixon. Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Cynthia Nixon ran for governor of New York in 2018. She lost the primary - and now she's set to reprise her role as Miranda Hobbes in the "Sex and the City" revival this year.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, aka "The Governator," rose to prominence as "The Terminator" before becoming governor of California. He returned to the "Terminator" franchise in 2015.

Arnold Schwarzenegger. Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Arnold Schwarzenegger, aka "The Governator," rose to prominence as "The Terminator" before becoming governor of California. He returned to the "Terminator" franchise in 2015.

Stacey Dash filed paperwork in February 2018 to run for Congress in California, but she has since said she's stepping back from politics.

Stacey Dash. Rob Kim/Getty Images

Clint Eastwood is, among many other things, the former mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.

Eastwood is politically active. Getty Images / Charley Gallay

Clay Aiken rose to stardom as the runner-up of the second season of "American Idol." He ran for the US House of Representatives in 2014 and lost - he's since returned to music.

Aiken lost to incumbent Renee Ellmers. Jeffrey A. Camarati/Getty Images

Clay Aiken rose to stardom as the runner-up of the second season of "American Idol." He ran for the US House of Representatives in 2014 and lost - he's since returned to music.

Kal Penn went from starring in the stoner comedy classic "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" to serving as the associate director in the White House Office of Public Engagement.

Kal Penn. Mark Davis / Getty Images

Kal Penn went from starring in the stoner comedy classic "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" to serving as the associate director in the White House Office of Public Engagement.

THEN AND NOW: How the 'Avengers: Endgame' heroes transformed from their first appearances

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

9 celebrities who left Hollywood behind to work in politics - and 6 who came back

Donald Trump was famous in the world of real estate, but he enjoyed mainstream success as the host of "The Apprentice." He was elected the 46th president of the United States in 2016.

Caitlyn Jenner announced her run for governor of California in April 2021.

Ronald Reagan went from president of the Screen Actors Guild to governor of California to president of the United States.

Child actress Shirley Temple retired from acting at 22 and dedicated the rest of her life to public service.

Al Franken began his career at "Saturday Night Live," but he eventually left the world of entertainment to run for the US Senate representing Minnesota. He later resigned due to allegations of sexual misconduct.

Sean Duffy first appeared on TV screens on the sixth season of "The Real World" in 1997. He went on to become the US representative for Wisconsin's 7th congressional district.

Sonny Bono was part of the musical duo Sonny & Cher with ex-wife Cher, but he was elected mayor of Palm Springs, California, and served as a California congressman.

Former pro-wrestler Jesse Ventura served as the 38th governor of Minnesota.

Kevin Johnson is a former professional basketball player who went on to become the first Black mayor of Sacramento, California, in 2008.

Cynthia Nixon ran for governor of New York in 2018. She lost the primary - and now she's set to reprise her role as Miranda Hobbes in the "Sex and the City" revival this year.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, aka "The Governator," rose to prominence as "The Terminator" before becoming governor of California. He returned to the "Terminator" franchise in 2015.

Stacey Dash filed paperwork in February 2018 to run for Congress in California, but she has since said she's stepping back from politics.

Clint Eastwood is, among many other things, the former mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.

Clay Aiken rose to stardom as the runner-up of the second season of "American Idol." He ran for the US House of Representatives in 2014 and lost - he's since returned to music.

Kal Penn went from starring in the stoner comedy classic "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" to serving as the associate director in the White House Office of Public Engagement.