This book is an exploration and analysis of the political activism of Hollywood celebrities and organizations. It covers early Hollywood unionism like the creation of the Screen Actors Guild and the Screen Writers Guild, as well as the actors and directors who organized against Nazism and Franco's Spanish activists during World War II. The author discusses the special role that Hollywood played during the war years and then moves on to 'celebrity-centered' activism, with the notable examples during the 1960s and 1970s of Charlton Heston, Marlon Brando, Barbara Streisand, Warren Beatty, and Jane Fonda. The main portion of the book profiles contemporary activism by current Hollywood stars, including Angelina Jolie, Michael J. Fox, Ashley Judd, and George Clooney. The author examines their political agendas and activism, as well as their impact on today's American political landscape and policy-making in Washington, D.C. Using facts, figures, lighthearted commentary and trivia, this book provides a political and historical perspective on the nature of our society's reverence for stars and what it may say about us as a democratic society.

About the Author
Greg Rabidoux, Ph.D. and J.D., is assistant professor of political science at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee.

Reviews
Dr. Greg Rabidoux presents an intriguing and captivating overview of the interaction between politics and Hollywood. This cleverly written and thought-provoking book is accessible to readers of all levels and rich in information detailing the impact Hollywood has had on politics and vice versa. Rabidoux asks readers, especially the younger generation, to critically examine politics and the role actors-turned-politicos play in influencing public opinion. This book is highly recommended! -- Kasey Henricks, Editor-in-Chief * The All State *
This book is a worthy addition to coffee tables across America for all who savor cinema, politics, and the colorful personalities who have shaped these fertile fields. -- Dr. Joe Filippo, theatrical director and emeritus professor of communication



Book Information
ISBN 9780761845485
Author Greg R. Rabidoux
Format Paperback
Page Count 502
Imprint University Press of America
Publisher University Press of America
Weight(grams) 753g
Dimensions(mm) 232mm * 155mm * 35mm