Which Oscar nominees made political donations, and to whom?
| Washington
This just in: Hollywood prefers Democrats.
This year’s Oscar nominees gave more than $400,000 to federal candidates and campaigns in the past 20 years – 87 percent to Democrats, according to a report by the Center for Responsive Politics in Washington.
Overall, the entertainment industry of TV, music, and movies has contributed $264.8 million to federal candidates and political parties over the past 10 years – 70 percent to Democrats, according to CRP data.
IN PICTURES: Oscar nominees: Who donated the most in politics
“The relationship between Hollywood and Washington has a longstanding, albeit rocky, history; actors have been among the most vocal political activists,” the report notes. (See a Monitor report on this year's Academy Award nominees here.)
The top-spending nominee for Oscars 2010 was Matt Damon, at $106,000 in political contributions, including $83,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
No. 2 is Lawrence Bender, producer of “Inglourious Basterds,” at $65,100, who barely edged out Best Actor nominee Jeff Bridges, at $64,800 – also all to Democrats.
“Invictus” may not win the Best Picture award, but its nominees, Damon and Morgan Freeman, together gave $113,400 to President Obama and Democratic candidates. “Up in the Air” nominees George Clooney and Ivan Reitman gave a combined $104,907. One of the rare bipartisan donors in the Academy Awards roster, “Avatar” director James Cameron and his wife gave $9,000 to four Democratic candidates and $5,000 to the California Republican Party.
Andrew Kosove, a producer for “The Blind Side,” was the lone nominee to fund only Republicans. He and his wife gave $3,200 to Sen. John McCain. Celebrity donors to GOP candidates in the past included comedian Bob Hope, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, and actors Jimmy Stewart, James Cagney, Charlton Heston, Jon Voight, Frank Sinatra, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Candidates for 2010 midterm elections are on track to raise and spend some $3.7 billion, according to the CRP.
IN PICTURES: Oscar nominees: Who donated the most in politics
