Ben Affleck has always been an outspoken supporter of Democratic Party politics. This week, he even was in Washington to testify before the House Armed Services Committee on the security situation in the violence-afflicted African nation of Congo. But would the Hollywood honcho ever consider leaving behind his Academy Award-winning career as an screenwriter, actor and director to throw his hat in the ring?
“Well, one never knows,” Affleck said when asked if he would ever run for Massachusetts Senate seat in a pre-taped an interview that will air Sunday on CBS News’s Face the Nation. “I’m not one to get into conjecture.”
“I do have a great fondness and admiration for the political process in this country,” continued the Boston native. “It’s a big deal for me to come down here and be on your show that I’ve watched so much. But I’m not going to get into speculation about my political future.”
Affleck certainly wouldn’t be the first actor to step into the world of government. Before being elected to the White House, Ronald Reagan was a successful Hollywood star and even served as president of the Screen Actors Guild. Austrian-born bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger starred on the big screen before becoming Governor of California. And America has seen political ambition from the likes of Alec Baldwin, Warren Beatty and Clint Eastwood.
But “right now,” Affleck added, “I’m really happy being involved from the outside in government, advocating for the Congolese, taking this movie that I made, Argo, that’s really become a springboard for dialogue about our relationship with Iran, which, as Hillary Clinton said, is the most pressing foreign policy issue today, so…I got a lot on my plate.”
And that includes impending awards season. Affleck’s acclaimed Argo is nominated for five Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild Awards and is expected to see Academy Award nods, which will be announced on January 15.
Affleck’s interview will air on Face the Nation on Sunday, Dec. 23.
To see a list of other celebs who made the plunge and entered politics, click on the gallery above.
