Possibly my favorite fake president.
No, I don’t mean Ronald Reagan, though you could argue that he was the real Hollywood president. I mean presidents in the movies. Here’s a list from The Hollywood Reporter plus a few of my additions, for you to peruse in between your President’s Day parties (don’t forget your President’s Day gifts!). Pick your favorite (P.S. if you can’t separate the real presidents from the fictional ones, I recommend a serious evening with a social studies textboook):
George W. Bush Played by Josh Brolin in Oliver Stone’s “W”(2008)
Jack Stanton Played by John Travolta in “Primary Colors.” In the movie the character is actually a presidential candidate, not a president, but since he’s obviously supposed to be Bill Clinton, we know he wins.
James Marshall Played by Harrison Ford in “Air Force One” (1997). Don’t mess with this president, Russian terrorists.
Andrew Shepard Played by Michael Douglas in “The American President” (1995). Romance at the White House…
Abraham Lincoln Played by Raymond Massey in “Abe Lincoln in Illinois” and “How the West Was Won.” He also played Lincoln on stage. Typecasting!
Abraham Lincoln Played by Henry Fonda in “Young Mr. Lincoln” (1939). Obviously Lincoln is our most cinematic president.
Dave Kovic/Bill Mitchell Played by Kevin Kline–both the real president and the impostor president.
Tom Beck Played by Morgan Freeman in “Deep Impact” (1998), one of those confusing “comet hitting earth” movies.
Mays Gilliam Played by Chris Rock in “Head of State” (2003). Funniest movie president? Probably.
Theodore Roosevelt Played by Robin Williams in “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” (2009). So yeah, he was really playing a waxwork of a president.
Andrew Boone Played by Kelsey Grammer in “Swing Vote” (2008). Another presidential candidate. Also candidate for president most likely to make long droning speeches tolerable with his melodious voice.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Played by Jon Voigt in “Pearl Harbor” (2001). This is just really weird casting.
President Mackenzie Played by Michael Keaton in “First Daughter” (2004). The daughter is Katie Holmes. Watch out, Mr. President! She’s about to meet Tom Cruise!
