Some of the Republican Party's Favorite Celebrities Will
Surprise You! (The Democrats, Probably Not So Much)
by Judy Kurtz Tue, Jan 5, 2016 3:30 AM
Pop in Politics contributor Judy Kurtz is the
"In the Know" columnist for The Hill
______________________________
The cultural divide in this country runs deeper
than mere politics—which party you belong to
may also help predict which Hollywood stars
you love.
Photo: NBC
While Democrats are more likely to dig
celebrities such as John Oliver, Taraji P.
Henson and Tina Fey, Republicans get a kick
out of Andrew Lincoln, Clint Eastwood and
Duck Dynasty star Sadie Robertson, according
to a new study from E-Poll Market Research.
The poll by the media research company shows that Lincoln, who plays Rick Grimes on AMC's
zombie-apocalypse thriller The Walking Dead, is a favorite among Republicans, with 53 percent
indicating they like the actor "a lot."
Eastwood, is also tops among the GOP crowd, with a 48
percent approval rating. Dirty Harry himself is no stranger
to the right, of course—the 85-year-old Oscar winner did
deliver his infamous "empty chair speech" at the 2012
Republican National Convention after all.
Stars such as Eastwood making the cut among the GOP
faithful doesn't surprise Kathryn Cramer Brownell, author
of Showbiz Politics: Hollywood in American Political Life.
"On the Republican side, seeing Clint Eastwood and [fellow
poll favorite] Harrison Ford there, that reflects some of the
ideas and the imagery they put forward in terms of
masculinity and toughness that has also been cultivated by
the Republican Party," she says.
"Not sure which came first, the
types of roles they select for
themselves, or how the roles
shape the viewers' perception of
them, but certainly some
celebrities embody more of a
blue- or red-character type," EPoll Market Research president
and CEO Gerry Philpott tells E!
News.
Brownell, an assistant professor of history at Purdue University, says she's also not taken aback by
the favored actors among Democrats. Oliver, host of HBO's Last Week Tonight, tops the list of
entertainers adored by liberals with 61 percent of the vote, with Empire's Henson at 55 percent and
Saturday Night Live alum Fey rounding out the top three with 54 percent. Fey's devastating
impression of former GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin won raves in 2008 and was easily
one of the best bits of the night when she co-hosted SNL with Amy Poehler just last month.
"Oliver and Tina Fey, especially, that does not surprise me," says Brownell, "because they have
really been at the forefront of late-night entertainment programming in criticism of the Republican
Party and conservatives more generally."
Other stars who rated highly with Democrats include Viola Davis, Steve Carell and comedian Jeff
Dunham.
Republicans polled also gave thumbs-up to NCIS' Pauley Perrette, Fuller Housestar and The View
co-host Candace Cameron Bure and The Big Bang Theory's Kaley Cuoco.
Still other Hollywood A-listers, such as Sandra Bullock, Morgan Freeman, Tom Hanks and Betty
White, appealed to both sides of the aisle, scoring well across the political spectrum with
Democrats and Republicans alike.
"Not sure which came first, the types of roles they select for themselves, or how the roles shape the
viewers' perception of them, but certainly some celebrities embody more of a blue- or redcharacter type," E-Poll Market Research president and CEO Gerry Philpott tells E! News.
"However, the broad appeal displayed by these top celebrities demonstrates their ability to
entertain across all political and social lines."
"It can be controversial and [celebrities] can experience a backlash against getting involved in
politics, so overwhelmingly they historically have gotten involved when they feel really compelled
to act," notes Brownell.
The author says it'll be fascinating to see how research, such as E-Poll's study, "is integrated into
the campaign strategy of either the Republican or Democratic party" as the 2016 presidential race
heats up.
"When you're looking for the presidential nominations, it's always a boost to have a well-known
person endorse your candidacy and especially at this part, they can help raise money on the
primary trail, which is really important for fundraisers," says Brownell.
"So I would guess that the parties and the individual candidates have already researched what type
of alliances perhaps they can form with entertainers."