Hollywood Stars Who Supported Third Party Candidates and Later Had Regrets

When celebrities publicly support political candidates, it often influences how people think and gets a lot of news coverage, especially during elections. Most celebrities support the main two political parties, but some choose to back independent or third-party candidates, hoping to disrupt the usual political landscape. These decisions can have unexpected results, and some celebrities have later expressed regret or changed their minds about their choices. Their experiences show how complicated it can be when Hollywood tries to influence the often-unpredictable world of American politics.

Bill Maher

Bill Maher publicly backed Ralph Nader in the 2000 election as a way to challenge the dominance of the two major parties. However, after the incredibly close results in Florida and the start of the Iraq War, Maher deeply regretted his decision. He formally apologized to Al Gore on his show, ‘Real Time with Bill Maher,’ and began encouraging viewers to vote strategically to avoid similar situations in future elections. This represented a major change in how he discussed the role of third-party candidates in politics.

Michael Moore

During the 2000 election, Michael Moore strongly supported Ralph Nader and the Green Party, speaking at many rallies to encourage voters to consider alternatives to the major candidates. He later came to believe that this support divided the progressive vote and inadvertently helped George W. Bush win. In his film ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ and in public statements, Moore acknowledged this and urged Nader not to run for president in 2004. After that, Moore began supporting more mainstream candidates, believing it was a more effective way to achieve his political objectives.

Alicia Silverstone

Alicia Silverstone, the actress from ‘Clueless’, recently sparked conversation when she publicly supported Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the 2024 election. She felt let down by the Democratic Party and wanted to back a candidate who shared her beliefs about the environment and health. However, things became complicated when Kennedy ended his campaign and began supporting Donald Trump. Silverstone shared her disappointment online, expressing sadness about how the campaign concluded and wondering if her support for Kennedy had been a mistake.

Roseanne Barr

In 2012, comedian Roseanne Barr ran for president as a Green Party candidate after being unsuccessful in securing the nomination from the Peace and Freedom Party. During her campaign, she advocated for significant changes to the economy and greater social fairness. Later, she shifted away from third-party politics and became a strong supporter of the Republican Party. Barr has often spoken out against her past political beliefs, completely changing her previous positions. This dramatic change indicates she no longer believes in trying to create political change through alternative parties.

Viggo Mortensen

During the 2016 presidential election, actor Viggo Mortensen, known for his role in ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ publicly supported Jill Stein of the Green Party as an alternative to the main candidates. He felt the country needed a significant move towards stronger environmental protections. However, by the 2020 election, Mortensen changed his mind. He decided to vote for the Democratic candidates, believing it was the best way to change leadership and prevent another four years under the previous president. This showed a shift towards a more practical approach, moving away from his earlier support for smaller political parties.

Mark Ruffalo

Early in his career, Mark Ruffalo backed Ralph Nader and the Green Party in the 2000 election, hoping for different political options. He’s since said that supporting a third-party candidate was a misstep, considering how close the election was. Now a prominent actor known for ‘The Avengers,’ Ruffalo actively supports the Democratic Party and encourages people to vote. He often emphasizes the need for strategic voting to avoid splitting the progressive vote. Today, Ruffalo uses his influence to promote unity within the existing political system as a way to advance environmental and social causes.

We’d love to hear your opinions on how celebrities affect politics and what difference it makes when they support candidates outside the main two parties. Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

2025-12-25 11:15