Celebs open their wallets in White House race, mostly for Obama
(CNN) - Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman made headlines recently for his sizable $1 million contribution to a pro-Obama super PAC, but he's hardly the only celebrity who cut a check in support of a presidential hopeful.
Members of the entertainment industry have a long history of sending money to their preferred presidential candidates, usually but not exclusively to Democrats. Below is a non-comprehensive list of some of the celebrities past and present who made a donation in May or June to the major political committees involved in the 2012 race for the White House.
OBAMA CAMPAIGN:
Actors & Actresses
Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights): $3250 in June, $5000 to date
Sam Waterston (Law and Order): $2250 in June, $5000to date
Ian Somerhalder (Lost, Vampire Diaries) : $2500
Olivia Wilde (House MD, Cowboys & Aliens) : $2500
Johnny Galecki (Roseanne, Big Bang Theory): $2500
Maria Bello (Prime Suspect): $2500
Ronald Guttman (Mad Men): $2075 in June, $4825 to date
Tyne Daly (Cagney & Lacey): $2000
Susan Saint James (Kate & Allie, McMillan & Wife): $2000
Holland Taylor (Two and a Half Men): $1000 in June, $2000 to date
Taraji P. Henson (Benjamin Button): $1850
Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation): $1000
Aisha Tyler (The Talk co-host): $1000
Directors
Rob Minkoff (The Lion King): $2500
Musicians
Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz: $2500
Peter Frampton: $2500 to Obama campaign
Toni Tennille of The Captain and Tennille: $1000 in June, $2000 to date
Yvonne Staples of The Staples Singers: $1000 in June, $2000 to date
OBAMA VICTORY FUND:
Bette Midler: $50,000 in June, $60,000 to date
Martin Von Haselberg (actor, Midler's husband): $50,000
Billy Crystal: $40,000
Kirk Douglas: $40,000
Robert Downey, Jr.: $40,000
Eddie Murphy: $40,000
Tom Hanks: $35,800 (in May)
Rita Wilson: $35,800 (in May)
Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights): $27,500
Anne Hathaway (Dark Knight Rises): $25,000
Jamie Lee Curtis (Halloween, Trading Places): $2000 in June, $14,000 to date
Wendie Malick (Hot in Cleveland): $2500
Marsha Mason (The Goodbye Girl): $1500 in June, $2500 to date
Bridget Fonda (Jackie Brown): $600 in June, $2000 to date
Tate Donovan (Damages, The O.C.): $125 in June, $1622 to date
Jason Sudeikis (Saturday Night Live): $500
Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked, GCB): $500
Topher Grace (That 70s Show): $500
Bernadette Peters (The Jerk): $250
PRIORITIES USA (pro-Obama super PAC):
Morgan Freeman (Dark Knight Rises, Million Dollar Baby): $1 million
ROMNEY CAMPAIGN:
John Rich (Country singer, Celebrity Apprentice winner): $2500
ROMNEY VICTORY FUND:
Film producer Jerry Bruckheimer and wife: $25,000
Scott Baio (Arrested Development, Happy Days) and wife: $12,500
Vince McMahon (Pro. wresting exec.) & Linda McMahon (CT Senate hopeful): $9910
RESTORE OUR FUTURE (pro-Romney super PAC):
Vince McMahon (Pro. wresting exec.) & Linda McMahon (CT Senate hopeful): $150,000K
- Follow Robert Yoon on Twitter: @robyoon
The "angry black men" and "angry black women" are out in force on the CNN blogs today. But that may be because CNN moderators don't allow very many posts that are not favorable to obama. They won't allow this one to be posted either.
You dems are fools just like how i used to be a fool 4 years ago. How can you say that MSNBC is not biased? How can you say Romney is a liar but Obama is not? Go do the fact checks and see how many times Obama has lied!!!! Obama has been campaining this whole year and hasnt even had a single meeting with his jobs council. Can you believe that? He has played Golf more than he has met with his Jobs council!!!! Romney is winning this election for sure because people are sick of you dirt bag dems that want to sit home and hope the working class will "share the love"...Well thats where you're wrong, cause i aint sharing no love when Romney is elected president.
Some of these people can't really act so what does it mean for any candidate???? Sometimes theuy get to believe they are important beyond their industry
Obama said in his book repeatedly that "I will stand by my muslim brothers at the end" and this is a fact. Go check it your self.
"That's why I never buy or rent a video or attend a movie, I'm not sending my hard earned money to the liberal in Hollywood."
LOL! Wow...you guys are really something else. Is it fun being so miserable all the time?
Here is an honest question that you dems will never admit to. If you had a $1000 and wanted to invest it and turn it into $2000, who would you give your money to invest for you? Obama or Romney? If your answer to this is Obama then you are clearly small minded. Plus at the end of the day, it is proven that conservatives are more successful than liberals because liberals are all dirt bags that sit home and collect government checks.
The people responsible for introducing this warped and extreme violence in America open their wallets for Obama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Poor Rudy NYC
Obviously you don't follow business very much or you would know that the chairmen of every news organization except CNN is a conservative. I'm not saying this is bad, because I do know a few conservative that are reasonable people.
But to think that unaltered videos of the President ( FOX alters theirs) and playing complete sounds bites is pandering, then I hope these news organizations continue to pander. You keep watching FOX for its insightful coverage- in this case meaning insighting hatred.
@ Mark from Lousiana: Every time you look at TV you give to the liberal in Hollywood or elsewhere. When Neilsen ratings go up the actor or actress get more money. Do a person ever really know what someone's true political stance is?, I don't think so. Do you what you enjoy and support the causes true to your heart, treat your neighbor the way you want to be treated and forget all the rest of the crap that is just a distraction to keep you from being the best person you can be. DO YOU and LET OTHERS DO THEM!
Wake up people - But thanks to him, we are all gainfully employed once again.
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Do tell! Just what jobs did Obama get you and all your friends? What shovel ready project are you employed by? Are you all paving roads or repairing bridges?
I have two questions about the Obama thing: How did we get so many stupid people in America who would vote for him, and who is his financial backer who obviously hates America even more than O does?
Well, at least the Republican Party can count on the McMahons. Oh well, this isn't a surprise. Celebrities almost always vote Democrat.....
Where's Willard's horse from that cowboy ad?
And those TAX RETURNS, WILLARD?
I WANT TO SEE THEM ON MY DESK PRONTO!*
*NOW NOW!
Jmaz
Judging on Obama's first four years in office and seeing this list, it's no surprise who he REALLY cares about and it sure isn't middle America. All those lavish, multi-million dollar parties at the WH; the heavy-petting fests at "awards" shows and the like – meanwhile the middle class is hurting. Meanwhile, more African Americans are unemployed than almost any other time in our nation's history. Meanwhile, the poverty rate in this country has skyrocketed. But Barry and Michelle get to play dressup with their movie buddies and the "cool kid" rappers... and we should be excited about it!
IF things are as bad for YOU as you seem to suggest, why aren't you out searching day and night for a job? I have heard many stories of people who lost their jobs and have found other ways to support themselves. Do you lack self- esteem? Are you one of those people who loves to find fault no matter what?
As to your comments about AA's being out of work, I have family members who have successfully found work after the "trickle down" syndrome and they would call you undetermined and unwilling.
And yes, I like to see our First Lady and president "dress up". It energizes the country but I guess you would rather they walk around depressed all the time just like you right?
It's fascinating how you CNN (aka radically liberally biased) reporters (aka liberal brain-washers) continuously strive to manipulate all information in your favor. This article makes an enormous effort to show that almost all celebrities will throw money at their favorite celebrity (I forget the last time OBAMA was portrayed as a president rather than a celebrity). Your article also implies that very few celebrities give money on the conservative side. Clearly this was done on purpose. God forbid you be fair (oh wait I guess I'm not supposed to say that as I might be seen as pushing religion on people).
Wilson
The "angry black men" and "angry black women" are out in force on the CNN blogs today. But that may be because CNN moderators don't allow very many posts that are not favorable to obama. They won't allow this one to be posted either.
As usual and as expected. These types just can't go without their daily dose of race. People like yourself are only looking for a response and I am not going to provide you with one. Now on to more intelligent comments.
@ Formed Dem now Republican
You sure are a nice person.
It is so funny how the liberals bash Romney for being rich, but then fail to realize that Obama is rich and so are his Hollywood friends and rock star supporters. The hypocrisy is too much!
Wow! I love it! Looks like everything that can be said is above and below. This used to be an Obama cheerleading site. Just goes to show where the real enthusiasm lies. Thank you Obama, we conservatives were getting apathetic and lazy. Now we are willing to fight and die again. Even Obama was part of God's plan. In Novermber, we make this country great again!
"The "angry black men" and "angry black women" are out in force on the CNN blogs today."
What freekin century are you living in? If only there were a pill for racism. Pig.
I have a question, if government is responsible for all of the successful people out there, how does President Obama account for all of the people who DIDN'T take risks or succeed? Those people had the same roads and bridges, and most of them had caring teachers or families?
"Obama said in his book repeatedly that "I will stand by my muslim brothers at the end" and this is a fact. Go check it your self."
OH NOES!!! Should I run out and buy an assault rifle and dye my hair orange just in case? The muslims are coming, the muslims are coming!!!!!! EVERYBODY PANIC!!!!!
Ever notice how proud people are to contribute to the President's re-election fund, but more people a=want too hide a contribution to Romney? Just sayin is all.
@Formed Dem now Republican:
Good riddance. Your words tell us you are Republican by the hate you spew. Thanks for calling people you don't
even know "dirt bags". Fits right in with the Tea Party.
Anyway, at least celebrities are not ashamed of who they support, unlike those billionaire donors who give to Rove's
so-called "social welfare" PAC, that won't release names. They don't want us to know what they are buying, or
better yet, what Romney is willing to sell.
Interesting how these names can be known, but the Super PAC money is still a mystery (and rasing money at a 10 to 1 rate for Romney over Obama).