Celebrities who have run for office: Spencer Pratt, Jerry Springer and more

Spencer Pratt is running for mayor of Los Angeles, but she’s not the only celebrity to try her hand at politics.

Pratt announced the news on Jan. 7, 2026. “The system in Los Angeles is not fighting back, it’s fundamentally broken,” Pratt, 42, said at the “They Let Us Burn” public rally, via the New York Post. “It’s a machine designed to protect the people at the top and the friends they trade favors with while the rest of us drown in smoke and toxic ash. Business as usual is a death sentence for Los Angeles, and I’m done waiting for someone to take real action.”

Pratt continued, “That’s why I’m running for mayor. And let me be clear, this is not a campaign, this is a mission, and we’re going to expose the system.”

The event was held on the first anniversary of the Foc de les Palissades. Pratt was also seen signing official candidacy paperwork at the event.

The reality star joins a long line of celebrities who have sought public office of their own — keep scrolling to read more.

Jerry Springer

Jerry Springer He was best known for his career as an actor and talk show host, but he also served on the city council of Cincinnati, Ohio, and was a political aide to the deceased. Robert Kennedy and served as mayor of Cincinnati.

Kanye West

Kanye West was a successful rapper and performer before launching a failed presidential run under the American Independence Party in 2020.

Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan had a long career in Hollywood before being elected as the 40th President of the United States in 1984. He also served as Governor of California from 1967-1975.

donald trump

donald trump he was best known as a reality star and businessman before winning the US presidential election in 2016. He was re-elected in 2024.

Roseanne Barr

Roseanne Barr launched his own presidential bid in 2012 under the banner of the Green Party, but was defeated by Jill Stein.

Cynthia Nixon

Cynthia Nixon he tried to run for governor of New York and had a debate with the then-incumbent Andrew Cuomo. He lost the Democratic primary by a margin of 500,000 votes.

Shirley Temple

child star Shirley Temple he ran for the California Senate in 1967 and lost, but was later appointed US Ambassador to Ghana and Ambassador to Czechoslovakia.

Sonny Bono

Sonny Bono he might be best known for his singing career with ex-wife Cherbut he also served as a U.S. House representative in California from 1995 until his death in 1998. Bono was also mayor of Palm Springs from 1988 to 1992.

Al Franken

Al Franken housed The Al Franken Showi appeared in Saturday night live before turning to politics. He served as a senator from Minnesota from 2009 to 2018 and resigned after several sexual assault allegations against him.

Herschel Walker

Herschel Walker launched a 2022 Georgia Senate race and was defeated by the Democrat Raphael Warnock.

Caitlyn Jenner

Caitlyn Jennerwho was best known for her Olympic career as well as her family’s foray into reality television, joined the 2021 California gubernatorial race to run against Gavin Newsom.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger he was elected as the 38th governor of California in 2003 and served until 2011.

Howard Stern

Howard Sternradio and television host, was the Libertarian candidate in the 1994 New York gubernatorial race, but withdrew after being asked to share his financial information.

Stephen Colbert

Stephen Colbertwho is best known for his late-night talk show and comedy career, tried to run for president by adding his name to the ballot in South Carolina, but was denied.