Political Science Faculty Publications and Presentations
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Summer 2022
Abstract
There is a growing literature on celebrity involvement in American politics. Celebrities have advantages that are beneficial when they seek elected office, but they can also lose elections despite these advantages. Because George Murphy was a Hollywood actor who both won and lost electoral contests, his case can provide insights about why celebrities win and lose elections. Having appeared in over forty movies, Murphy was a nationally recognized figure when he ran successfully for the U.S. Senate in 1964. He demonstrated that celebrities have the talents, fame, and resources to succeed in the electoral arena. These attributes alone, however, were not enough to win re-election. An unfavorable political environment was the reason for his loss six years later. This suggests that despite having advantages, the normal laws of politics still apply to celebrity politicians.
Recommended Citation
Longoria, R.T. (2022). George Murphy: A Celebrity Politician. Southern California Quarterly 104(2), 201-227.
Publication Title
Southern California Quarterly
Comments
Original published version available at muse.jhu.edu/article/857985.