While some people may grow up dreaming of a career in public office, politicians sometimes come from a less conventional source: Hollywood. There’s a long list of film and television actors who have gone on to roles in politics, including President Donald Trump, who expanded his standing in the public eye as the host of “The Apprentice.” 

Al Franken
The former comedian took perhaps the most ironic leap in U.S. politics: going from parodying a U.S. senator on TV to getting elected as one. Franken was widely known for his time on “Saturday Night Live,” during which he often portrayed former Sen. Paul Simon (D-Ill.). But it turns out he wasn’t satisfied with merely pretending to be a politician.

In 2009, Franken became a Democratic senator for Minnesota in “one of the most expensive” races in the country, said PBS News. However, his political career abruptly concluded in 2018 when he resigned after several women said he “groped or tried to forcibly kiss them,” said Politico.

Arnold Schwarzenegger
The former action star (pictured above) dominated the 1980s in projects like “The Terminator” and “Predator.” Then the Austrian-born actor became an “increasingly politically active Republican” in the 1990s, and he ran for the California governorship and won when Gray Davis was recalled in 2003,” said Schwarzenegger’s gubernatorial biography.

Thus, the Terminator became the Governator and initially proved to be a popular leader of the Golden State. After he won reelection, Schwarzenegger’s popularity waned, and he left office in 2011 with a “record-low 23%” approval rating, said Politico. Schwarzenegger has since taken on an active role in denouncing MAGA and the Trump wing of the GOP.

Ronald Reagan
While other Hollywood stars have held important positions, the late actor turned president is the only one to have occupied the nation’s highest office. Starting in 1937, Reagan “appeared in 53 films, including ‘Kings Row’ and ‘Knute Rockne, All American.’” 

He later went into politics with a staunch Republican platform. In 1966, Reagan “defeated incumbent Pat Brown to become governor of California” and in 1970 was reelected. From there, Reagan looked to the national stage, and amid the Democratic Party’s rising unpopularity in 1980, he defeated then-sitting President Jimmy Carter in a landslide.

As Wimbledon gets underway this week, the record prize pot of $85 million has done little to assuage the “increasingly mutinous” mood of professional tennis players, said The Observer. The sport has jettisoned its “gentlemanly image” to become a “global cultural phenomenon,” and its athletes want a “bigger slice of the pie.”

What are the protests about?
As part of an ongoing campaign called Project RedEye, the top 20 players want a larger ratio of tournament revenues to acknowledge their contribution toward each event’s success, with “more money trickling down the draws,” said the BBC. They also want a discussion about how much Grand Slams contribute to players’ pension, healthcare and maternity pots, and better consultation on questions such as scheduling, late-night finishes and elongated tournaments. 

Before Wimbledon, several pros had planned to limit their contractual media commitments in protest. But they have now returned to normal media duties following what they describe as “constructive meetings” with the All England Club, said the BBC. 

What has the reaction been?
Wimbledon announced a 20% increase in prize money only a couple of weeks ago, so the All England Club was “surprised and disappointed” by the players’ threat of action, said the BBC. Former tennis athlete turned BBC pundit Andrew Castle said the players were being “tone deaf.”

Some of the game’s biggest names, including 2025 Wimbledon champion Jannik Sinner (pictured above), Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka, have threatened boycotts of future tournaments. With their huge career winnings and “lucrative” sponsorship deals, they would be “just fine if the money remained the same,” said The Observer. But it can be a “slog” for lower-ranked players, whose winnings must fund coaching and travel in a sport that “spans continents,” leaving them “barely breaking even.” 

“We don’t do it for ourselves,” said Sabalenka in a pre-tournament press conference. “We do it for the rest of the players who are suffering to even hire a coach.”

What next?
Wimbledon argues that players underestimate the costs of running tournaments and staging important warm-up events. But it has made a “commitment to return with specific proposals” addressing their concerns, said a statement from the athletes behind Project RedEye, and the players will “carefully evaluate the proposals once received.”

Paraguay captain Gustavo Gomez and his teammates celebrate their win against Germany last night in one of this World Cup’s biggest upsets so far. Germany, which has won the tournament four times, lost to the South American side after a 4-3 penalty shoot-out at Boston Stadium.
Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images

If the weather doesn’t scorch, you want to be outside during the year’s hottest months. You probably also want to stay hydrated and take the edge off. These destinations do drinking very well. Fun in the sun — or better still, shade — is how to hit the bars this time of year.

Bacchanal Wine, New Orleans
Bacchanal is New Orleans’ worst-kept secret: a top-tier, low-key destination with an enormous patio, far from the scrum of the French Quarter. At its core, it’s “just a really, really cool wine shop,” said Imbibe magazine. That’s merely the opening salvo. You could leave with your bottle, or you could head to the building’s back and share it with friends while you nod along to the live jazz band.

Club Tee Gee, Los Angeles
L.A. is a wonderland of outdoor drinking spaces. But good luck finding one that sports the right vibe — cool but not trying too hard. Club Tee Gee nails it. The 75-year-old bar reopened in 2018 after a renovation and now has a “banging roster” of dance parties, karaoke nights and regular live music, said The Infatuation.

Strega, Nashville
“Casual but not sloppy,” said Nashville Scene about the admirable vibe of this new Italian-centric bar. On the ample patio are darts, a pool table and a shuffleboard, along with plenty of tables under umbrellas. The drinks at Strega, like the Cucumber Lemon G&T and Italian Margarita, are smart and accessible. Weekdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., pizza slices are a mere $1. Come thirsty, come hungry.