Hollywood is known for being overwhelming left-of-center. From celebrity-led fundraisers supporting President Barack Obama's re-election campaign to incendiary rhetoric aimed against Republicans, the majority of Hollywood doesn't hide its liberal inclinations.
That being said, Tinseltown isn't completely devoid of GOP enthusiasts. While they comprise a very silent minority, right-of-center celebrities exist --- and some may even surprise you. While the following list is by no means a complete picture, it is a compilation of 10 of the most interesting and surprising actors and performers who reportedly consider themselves Republicans.
1. TONY DANZA
Actor Tony Danza is known for his popular role on the 1980s sitcom "Who's the Boss?," for his former talk show gig and for appearing in some popular feature films. But the New York City-born actor is also a Republican who may even have political ambitions of his own.
In fact, in a recent interview, he told The Wall Street Journal that he’s thought about running for NYC mayor:
“I’m of a certain age, and you see things, and you think maybe you could help,” Danza said. “You say: ‘Let me fix the city. Let me run for Mayor.’” [...]
Danza declined to say which party he’d run for, adding that he’s never made a monetary contribution to a politician. “The country’s been hoodwinked into thinking we’re supposed to do that,” he said.
While he didn’t share his political persuasion, numerous outlets have reiterated his right-of-center views.
Actors Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Tony Danza attend the 'Premium Rush' New York premiere at Regal Union Square on August 22, 2012 in New York City. Credit: Getty Images
2. SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR
When she’s not slaying vampires, Buffy (also known as Sarah Michelle Gellar) is apparently donating to charity and…being a Republican (allegedly). Gather news writes, “It’s probably no surprise that Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Sarah Michelle Gellar is Republican. She‘s all about what is right in the world and fixing whatever’s wrong.”
While she’s purportedly right-minded, Gellar is reportedly tight-lipped about her political affiliation.
Actress Sarah Michelle Gellar visits the SiriusXM Studios on February 7, 2012 in New York City. Credit: Getty Images
3. PATRICIA HEATON
From “Everybody Loves Raymond” to “The Middle,” actress Patricia Heaton has been a television fixture for over a decade. The outspoken actress has made her pro-life views known, as she has often come out to publicly support anti-abortion causes (although she has also been openly supportive of gay marriage).
The actress is a fan of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, too. In July, POLITICO reported:
Actress Patricia Heaton thinks Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is pretty great.
“Met Gov. Romney last nite – excellent human being,” the star of ABC’s “The Middle” tweeted on Tuesday.
Heaton is one of a few outspoken conservatives in Hollywood and regularly shares her political musings on Twitter.
While everyone may not love Heaton’s political views, she’s certainly a successful example of a political rarity in Hollywood.
Actress Patricia Heaton attends Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel's 2012 'TCA Summer Press Tour' on August 2, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. Credit: Getty Image
4. ADAM SANDLER
Adam Sandler is a well-known comedian. He’s also a Republican who financially-supported 2008 presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani. Numerous media outlets have reported that Sandler is a registered GOPer. Like Heaton, he, too, has stated his support for gay marriage, a stance issue that tends to rile social conservatives.
Actor/executive producer Adam Sandler attends the screening of Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation's 'Hotel Transylvania' at Pacific Theatre at The Grove on September 22, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.Credit: Getty Images
5. ANGIE HARMON
Angie Harmon is a Republican and she’s apparently not afraid to show it. The star of “Rizzoli & Isles” spoke at the 2004 Republican National Convention. Naturally, she’s been more than open about her conservative views. In a 2011 interview, she spoke about the experience of “coming out” as a GOPer:
“Here’s the thing about that. When I quote, unquote came out I had no idea I was doing something that was detrimental to my career. It never occurred to me. I’m an American. I’m going to have an opinion as everybody else does and I was asked a question. The fact that it was turned into that I was a gay hating racist was just heartbreaking. It was really horrible. The fact that most of my close friends are gay. After I quote unquote came out as a Republican, one of my dearest gay friends said to me, ‘You’ve got to go on a T.V. show and tell everyone you like gay people.’ I was like, ‘Why?’ He was like, ‘Because you’re a Republican.’ I was like, ‘I’m sorry who’s stereotyping who?”
Interestingly, Fox News‘ Bill O’Reilly made a guest appearance last season on ”Rizzoli & Isles.”
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 19: Angie Harmon arrives at Gilt Baby and Kids celebrates Wendy Bellissimo collection launch at Palihouse Holloway on June 19, 2012 in West Hollywood, California.Credit: WireImage
6. HEATHER LOCKLEAR
While there’s not much known about Heather Locklear and her Republicanism, the “Melrose Place” actress has been known, for years, to be right-of-center. Like Gellar, she’s tight-lipped about her views and hasn’t been quoted much speaking on-the-record about conservative values.
Zimio adds, “Heather Locklear has been known as a Republican for years, but is stubbornly quiet on the issue. She declined to participate in a 2004 documentary called ‘Rated R: Republicans in Hollywood,’ in which celebrity conservatives talked about being a cultural minority.”
Actress Heather Locklear (R) and Ava Locklear arrive at Summit Entertainment's 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1' premiere at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 14, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Credit: Getty Images
7. JOAN RIVERS
Joan Rivers isn’t known for being a Hollywood sweetheart. That being said, the 79-year-old comedian and actress is, at least constitutionally-speaking, a Republican. New York Magazine has a few sentences that perfectly encapsulate her views:
Though she calls herself an independent and voted for Obama, she is constitutionally Republican. Friends with Nancy Reagan. Thinks we should just bomb the shit out of Iran. Ambivalent about feminism. Detests whining and victimhood and laziness. Hated Precious. “I got very annoyed,” she says. “I thought, Oh, get a job! Stand up and get a job!”
Despite voting for Obama, Rivers has agreed that his policies are unfair to the wealthy, telling POLITICO, “I think if I work very hard, I should be able to gather the fruits of my labor. And I think if you’re not about to work, you should get minimal and leave me alone. I think if you don’t wear a helmet and you fall off your bike, you pay for the doctor.”
Comedian Joan Rivers arrives to Us Weekly's 25 Most Stylish New Yorkers Event at STK Midtown on September 12, 2012 in New York City. Credit: Getty Images
8. BRUCE WILLIS
Actor Bruce Willis has a penchant for small government. While he may not be on board with all (or most) GOP proposals, in 2006, he made his pseudo-conservatism known.
“I’m a Republican only as far as I want a smaller government, want less government intrusion,” he said, going on to make it clear, though, that he is not political. “I hate government. I’m apolitical. Write that down. I’m not a Republican.”
Willis did support George H.W. Bush in 1992 and President George W. Bush in 2000, but, today, he remains “apolitical.” In fact, he recently said that he doesn’t care who wins in the upcoming election and that GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney is an “embarrassment.” Still, he embraces right-of-center sentiment and, because of his smaller-government views, he qualifies for this list.
Actor Bruce Willis attends the 'Looper' opening night gala premiere during the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2012 in Toronto, Canada. Credit: Getty Images
9. SHANNEN DOHERTY
“90210′s” Shannen Doherty has been vocal about her Republican views in the past. ”I realize that the majority of people in the entertainment business happen to be Democrats. I have no problem with that. And they should have no problem with the fact that I’m a Republican,” she once said.
In a recent interview, Doherty proclaimed that, while she’s a conservative, she needs to believe in a candidate in order to cast a vote for him or her. The actress said that she supports people who are willing to “evoke change and to stand for something.” The actress is also passionate about educating students on what unfolded on September 11, 2001:
“…9/11 affected me, as it affected everybody in this country and most people around the world. It was horrific and scary, but it also elicited feelings of pride, camaraderie and patriotism. You saw a country pull together and support each other. It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve bared witness to, while also being a horrific event with how many people were murdered on that day. My political mind comes into play being that I’m confused as to why we don’t have some form of a curriculum in our schools for teaching about that day.
I don’t think it’s a day that should ever be forgotten. We certainly didn’t forget about Pearl Harbor and we teach about Pearl Harbor. I don’t see why 9/11 is any different, and it’s something I am going to be fighting for. In life, you have to get passionate and stand behind something and fight for it. It takes one person to evoke change, to start a movement to make the world a better place. Education is first and foremost, which is again, why I believe that 9/11 is something that should be taught about in school.”
While she was once known as a wild card and a Hollywood bad girl, Doherty is nowadays calling herself a conservative.
Actress Shannen Doherty arrives at the 20th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party at The City of West Hollywood Park on February 26, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. Credit: WireImage
10. 50 Cent
Perhaps the biggest surprise is rapper 50 Cent. In the past, he’s stated that he is, in fact, a Republican. Inquisitr writes, “Rapper 50 Cent allegedly leans to the right and once noted he would vote for President George W. Bush if it weren’t for his felony conviction.”
However, some outlets have shown that 50 Cent, though he once showed his love for the nation’s 43rd president, eventually soured on Bush. StarPulse.com has more:
The hip-hop star – real name Curtis Jackson - was a one-time fan of the political figure, telling interviewers in 2005, “I wanna…shake his hand and tell him how much of me I see in him.”
However the In Da Club hit maker has made a dramatic u-turn, accusing Bush of being cruel and heartless. He tells New York Magazine, “George Bush has a talent: he has less compassion than the average human. By all means, I don’t aspire to be like George Bush.” The President has lost public support in the polls in recent years following wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Either way, 50 Cent has shown his support for Republican ideals — a fascinating notion, considering his stature in the entertainment industry.
Singer '50 Cent' Curtis James Jackson arrives at the premiere of Open Road Films' 'End of Watch' at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live on September 17, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. Credit: Getty Images
There you have it. Ten of the most fascinating (alleged) Republican celebrities.