ARNOLD FINDS FAMILIAR ROLE WITH POLITICS.

Byline: Helen Gao Staff Writer

Ronald Reagan did it best.

Sonny Bono did it. Clint Eastwood and Sheila Kuehl did it, too.

Shirley Temple tried to do it but couldn't.

Now Arnold Schwarzenegger has become the latest to embark on the well-traveled circuit of celebrity to California politician.

``The line between entertainment and politics has been erased for a long time now,'' said Leo Braudy, an English professor at the University of Southern California and the author of the book ``Frenzy of Renown.''

``Politicians appear on late-night talk shows when they are running for office. (Vice President Al) Gore and George W. (Bush) both did it. Why shouldn't somebody announce that way, as well?''

Schwarzenegger, star of the blockbuster ``Terminator'' movie series, announced his intention to run for governor on Wednesday's ``Tonight Show with Jay Leno,'' turning the Oct. 7 election to recall Gov. Gray Davis into a free-for-all.

Braudy noted that politicians have also become celebrities. Bill Clinton did in 1992, his campaign in tatters, by going on Arsenio Hall's late-night show and playing the saxophone. Some credited that appearance for turning around his campaign.

USC journalism professor Bryce Nelson argues that the nexus between celebrity and politics goes as far back as the birth of the republic.

``George Washington was the first celebrity. He was a revolutionary general'' turned president, said Nelson. ``There is ample precedent. ... The American system is very open to mobility and anybody running.''

Given the proximity of Hollywood, Bryce said, the transition from celebrity to California politics is natural.

``Since most of the entertainment figures live in Southern California, we are especially susceptible to have them run. Reagan was the best example. Congressman Bono and other people have flirted with political office. Arnold Schwarzenegger is in tradition, as Hollywood has gotten established.''

Political scientists say politicians and celebrities have a lot in common.

``To survive the kind of scrutiny and nonstop spotlight of politics, you have to have a very thick skin and be a bit of an egomaniac. We find those in abundance both in state capitals, Washington and in Hollywood,'' said Martin Kaplan, associate dean of the USC Annenberg School for Communication.

Here is a list of some of the celebrities turned politicians, and a few politicians who became celebrities:

--Ronald Reagan (1911- ), the so-called ``Great Communicator'' was a B-movie star in 52 films before being elected governor of California (1966-1974) and president of the United States (1981-1989).

--Sonny Bono (1935-98) wore bell-bottom trousers, a droopy mustache and a hairdo described as ``a cross between Caesar and Napoleon'' when he was half of the outrageously clad 1970s musical duo Sonny and Cher. After the two split up, Bono became a respectable businessman and the mayor of Palm Springs. He was serving his second term as a congressman when he was killed in a skiing accident.

--Clint Eastwood (1930- ), the grim-faced actor/director, served as mayor of Carmel By The Sea (1986-88). Eastwood first garnered the notice of Hollywood as Rowdy Yates in TV's ``Rawhide'' but secured his future in a series of ``spaghetti Westerns'' and as zealous police Detective Harry Callahan in the ``Dirty Harry'' movies.

--Sheila Kuehl (1941- ), best known for her role as Zelda Gilroy in the television series ``The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis,'' became the state's first openly gay legislator when she was elected to the Assembly in 1994, representing West Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. The actress-turned-lawyer-turned politician is one of the most popular advocates for feminist, gay and lesbian causes.

--Jerry Brown (1938- ) earned the nickname ``Governor Moonbeam'' for his New Age views during his two terms as governor (1974-1982). His very public romance with rock singer Linda Ronstadt pulled him into the Hollywood spotlight. Brown, who at one time aspired to be a Jesuit priest, is now mayor of Oakland.

--Tom Hayden (1939- ), a former husband of actress Jane Fonda, was a social reformer and vocal opponent of the Vietnam War, He was elected to the state Assembly in 1982 and Senate in 1992, representing the Westside and Valley. He also ran unsuccessfully for governor and mayor of Los Angeles.

--Alan Autry (1952- ) boasted 22 years of film and TV credits and a brief career with the NFL's Green Bay Packers before being elected mayor of Fresno in 2000. His most memorable role is playing police officer ``Bubba'' in the 1990s TV crime drama ``In the Heat of the Night.''

--George Murphy (1902-92) acted opposite stars such as Shirley Temple, Gene Kelly and Ronald Reagan before becoming the first professional actor to be elected to the U.S. Senate. He served from 1965 to 1971.

--Shirley Temple (1928- ), Hollywood's quintessential child star during the 1930s and '40s, ran unsuccessfully to represent California in Congress in 1967. The Santa Monica native was later appointed U.S. representative to the United Nations and ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia.

--Baxter Ward (1919-2002) made the leap from local TV anchorman to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in 1972. Remembered for his maverick style and colorful language, Ward worked at stations KCOP (Channel 13); KHJ (now KCAL, Channel 9) and KABC (Channel 7) before running for office. After he was defeated for a third term in 1980, he became a news commentator on KABC.

--S.I. Hayakawa (1906-1992), noted linguist turned U.S. senator, was catapulted into the national spotlight in 1969 when he ripped the wires from a loudspeaker at a student protest at San Francisco State University. As university president, he took a hard-line stance against campus unrest.

CAPTION(S):

11 photos

Photo:

(1) Ronald Reagan

(2) Clint Eastwood

(3) Jerry Brown

(4) Sonny Bono

(5) Tom Hayden

(6) Shirley Temple

(7) S.I. Hayakawa

(8) Baxter Ward

(9) Alan Autry

(10) George Murphy

(11) Sheila Kuehl