Actor-Politicians Across the World

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Tue Feb 24 22:15:06 EST 2004


They may have to don on a new set of costumes, read from a different script,
and abandon the world of make-believe for the harsh realities of civic
leadership, but that has not deterred actors and actresses across the world
from opting for a life in the world of politics.
Here are some famous actors and actresses across the world who have made
forays into politics:
Jayaram Jayalalitha, India: To her fans, she's the "Mother Goddess of the
World," a buxom former starlet turned politician who has the ability to
bring down the national government. To her critics, she is the "Iron Lady,"
the chief minister of a southern Indian state who brooks no opposition and
has a fearsome reputation for intimidating rivals and suing publications.
Jayaram Jayalalitha first became chief minister of the state of Tamil Nadu
in 1991, when her mentor - or some say, lover - M.G. Ramachandran, another
legendary Indian actor-politician, died. She has been a figure in the Indian
political scene ever since, despite major corruption allegations, including
a police raid on her home that yielded a treasure trove of diamond-studded
jewelry, hundreds of expensive silk sarees and 700 pairs of shoes, which
earned her the nickname, "Booty Queen."
Still, Jayalalitha commands godlike adoration in her native state with one
supporter cutting off and offering the actress-politician one of his fingers
during her 55th birthday celebrations earlier this year.
Others: Eva Peron, Argentina; Clint Eastwood, USA; Sonny Bono, USA; Gina
Lollobrigida, Italy

Source:
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/GMA/Politics/actor_politicians_sidebar_040223
.html




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