Celebs Who Ran for Office

As the nation (and the world) awaits with bated breathe the results of the 2012 general election, we've compiled a list of celebrities who have also thrown their names into the political ring -- some successfully, others not so much.

The former Mr. Universe is also a former governor. The Terminator served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 to 2011.

The former Saturday Night Live writer/performer has been a Senator for Minnesota since 2009.

Jesse "The Body" Ventura (real name James George Janos) couldn't get rid of his competitive spirit after leaving the ring as a professional wrestler. Ventura's electrifying personality played well in the political arena, serving as the 38th Governor of Minnesota from 1999-2003.

Reagan went from the face of General Electric to the face of the GOP when he became the 33rd Governor of California and later the 40th President of the United States.

After losing countless fictional cases to criminal defense attorney Ben Matlock on Andy Griffith's legal series, Thompson became Senator for Tennessee, serving from 1994-2003.

The famous singer was mayor of Palm Springs from 1988-1992 before being elected to Congress in 1994.

After making his way into America's heart as Gopher from The Love Boat, Grandy won over the State of Iowa in a successful run for Congress.

The Harold & Kumar star joined the Obama administration as an Associate Director in the White House Office of Public Engagement in 2009.

One of the world's most recognizable child stars failed to secure a vacant seat in Congress when she ran against Pete McCloskey in 1967, but she was later appointed as a Representative to the 24th United Nations General Assembly by President Richard M. Nixon in 1969.

The Britain-born two-time Oscar winner has served as a Member of Parliament since 1992.

The comedienne and former sitcom star put her name into the ring this year as the Peace and Freedom Party's presidential nominee. Her slogan: "The Only Serious Comedian Running for President."