There's plenty of speculation over whether actress Ashley Judd will enter the race for U.S. Senate in Kentucky against Republican minority leader Mitch McConnell.
"I don't think you do what she's doing now unless you're pretty damn sure you're going to run," Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Ky.) told USA Today.
If she does decide to run, Judd will join an elite group of celebrities that made the transition into politics.
We looked back at the biggest stars that have turned their star power into political capital.
Mayor Clint Eastwood (R)
Claim To Fame: Eastwood is best known for his roles in westerns and action films. Some of his best include The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly, Dirty Harry, and Gran Torino.
Political Career: After a local planning board blocked his attempts to remodel an office building next to the restaurant he owned in Carmel, Calif., he ran for mayor. His celebrity status gave him a landslide victory and he served a single two-year term, from 1986 to 1988. One of his first acts was to fire most of the planning board.
He also gave the most memorable speech of the 2012 Republican National Convention.
Rep. Sonny Bono (R-Calif.)
Claim To Fame: He's probably best known for his musical career as the male half of the 1960s musical duo Sonny & Cher. They expanded their celebrity into a television variety show during the 1970s, and Bono later went on to act in a number of small roles.
Political Career: Like Eastwood, Bono's career began out of frustration with the local Palm Springs, Calif. bureaucracy. He ran for mayor and won, serving for four years. After an unsuccessful bid for Senate in California in 1992, Bono won a House seat in 1994, and served until his death in 1998.
Mayor Jerry Springer (D)
Claim To Fame: He's best known as the host of the tabloid talk show The Jerry Springer Show — a television series which often had guests shouting profanities, throwing chairs, and fist-fighting.
Best Quote: "It's just a show. It's not the end of Western Civilization. It's chewing gum."
Political Career: Before being the host of his talk show, Springer made a name for himself in local Cincinnati politics, winning seats on the city council, and ultimately served as mayor. His political career took a dive in 1974 however, after it was learned that he hired a prostitute.
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