Hollywood heavyweights are torn between an established star, Hillary Clinton, and the new kid in town, Barack Obama! They are hedging their bets and donating to both Democratic candidates, or more.
Ben Stiller gave $4,600 to Clinton’s campaign (the $2,300 maximum for the primary race, and another $2,300 for the general election). The Upper West Side native also handed over $4,600 to John Edwards and $2,300 to Obama, according to Federal Election Commission reports.
Tobey Maguire gave $2,300 to Obama’s campaign and $4,600 to Clinton’s, according to the Huffington Post’s FundRace 2008. Maguire’s future father-in-law, Universal Studios president Ron Meyer, also gave big: $3,300 to Obama, $2,300 to Chris Dodd, $2,300 to Clinton, and $1,000 each to John Edwards and Bill Richardson.
Steven Spielberg and Barbra Streisand both spread the wealth, giving $2,300 each to Obama, Edwards and Clinton, though Spielberg also donated to Richardson. Their hefty backings were no match for Michael Douglas, though – the Oscar winner gave $4,600 each to all five candidates.
While Obama had outraised Clinton nationwide by $33 million to $27 million in their most recent filings, Clinton is beating Obama in Hollywood. The Center for Responsive Politics reported that between April 1 and June 30 she collected $753,790 from donors in the industry to Obama’s $617,388. “Rush Hour” director Brett Ratner gave $4,600 to both Clinton and Edwards.
Tom Hanks and Will Smith are backing one politician at a time, for now – each leading man donated $4,600 to Obama.
Rosanna Arquette, Jennifer Aniston, George Clooney and Halle Berry donated $2,300 each to Obama, as did Clooney’s agent at CAA, Bryan Lourd.
The only reported member of the Hollywood elite supporting Democratic dark horse Dennis Kucinich is “Crash” director (and brief “Entourage” star) Paul Haggis.
One star backing the Republican Party is Kelsey Grammer, who made a $2,300 donation to former Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Among politically active celebs who have yet to donate to any candidate are: Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Combs and Madonna. Source
