Chris Jackson – WPA Pool/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — Hollywood and politics go together like Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. The close ties will be on full display Thursday night when Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow hosts President Obama at a star-studded Democratic National Committee fundraiser and dinner at her Los Angeles home.
Candidates of both parties might welcome any celebrity firepower they can get, especially this year. The stakes are particularly high because Republicans only need six more Senate seats to win back the majority in the Senate, and Democrats are struggling in key races.
Although many celebrities donate to candidates, Paltrow is just one of many high-profile celebrities going above and beyond that level for campaign 2014. Here are a few others:
The campaign of Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., raffled off tickets for a fundraiser hosted by fellow Saturday Night Live alumnus Amy Poehler, who also campaigned for Franken. Winners of the raffle got to attend a party hosted by the Parks and Recreation star in L.A.
Back in September, singer and Atlanta native Usher hosted a campaign event for Michelle Nunn, the Democratic nominee for Senate in Georgia, at his house. Former President Bill Clinton was also a guest.
Employing her musical talent, Alanis Morrissette wrote a campaign song for author Marianne Williamson, who was hoping to represent California’s Beverly Hills district. Unfortunately, Williamson, who ran as an independent, lost in the California primary in June and Morrissette’s song didn’t get much use.
Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin hosted a fundraiser for Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., at his personal cinema this past Tuesday.
New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker got a lot of love from celebrity A-listers. Oprah Winfrey hosted a fundraiser for Booker at a New Jersey restaurant back in 2013. Actors Matt Damon and Ben Affleck also co-hosted a fundraiser for Booker, whose guests included Affleck’s wife Jennifer Garner and producer JJ Abrams.
Maybe starring in House of Cards inspired actress Kate Mara to get involved in politics. She tweeted out this picture after attending a fundraiser last April for the former Newark mayor.
In June, Scandal creator Shonda Rhimes hosted a fundraiser for the DNC at her home out on the West Coast. Scandal star Kerry Washington and Obama attended.
And although a lot of celebrities have been endorsing Democratic candidates, Donald Trump frequently voices his support for GOP candidates on Twitter.
Retired football star Brett Favre also starred in a campaign ad for Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss.
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