Former New York Rep. Anthony Weiner will soon be sleeping with the fishes.
No, he’s not dead, but the former Congressman and New York City mayoral candidate has sunk to a new low with an upcoming cameo in the television movie “Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!” If Weiner hadn’t already whacked his own political career, a July 22, C-list star turn in the third installment of the Syfy network franchise, where he plays the head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, certainly would have.
But Weiner’s career in politics was likely over anyway, and he probably figured he had noting to lose. Besides, who among us could resist being eaten alive by killer sharks with a vengeance? After a promising political career representing New York City districts, Weiner was embroiled in two sexting scandals. He resigned his post after the first and reentered politics with a run for mayor, but dropped out of the race in disgrace after it was revealed he had sent more explicit pictures to women under the alias “Carlos Danger.”
The first two movies in the “Sharknado” camp-fest series featured frenzied killer sharks terrorizing Los Angeles and New York. The third has man-eating great whites chowing down on everything in sight from Washington, D.C., to Orlando, Fla.
Weiner wouldn’t reveal how he eventually meets his maker in the movie, but it’s safe to assume that he will ultimately make a tasty snack for the psycho sharks. Back for this third installment are the stars of the first two, Ian Ziering and Tara Reid. Also making cameo appearances are former Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, David Hasselhoff, Frankie Muniz, Penn and Teller, Bo Derek, Ne-Yo and Lou Ferrigno.
Bachmann and Weiner are not the first lawmakers to become entertainers, or vice-versa. Being a politician is a lot like working as an actor or entertainer because it requires some of the same skills: sticking to a script, smiling for the cameras and playing a role.
These five examples illustrate that long history at the intersection of entertainment, acting and politics.
RONALD REAGAN
The most famous former actor-turned-politician ever, Reagan was a master of creating an image. By expertly acting as a sage grandfather to the country, Reagan was twice elected president on the power of his “Great Communicator” persona.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
The bodybuilder-turned-actor was once the badass villain in “The Terminator,” a frazzled teacher in “Kindergarten Cop” — and then played his biggest role by twice convincing California voters to elect him governor.
JESSE VENTURA
This former wrestler who went by the name “The Body” became the mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minn., and then went on to become the governor of the state.
JERRY SPRINGER
The host of the brawl-out eponymous-named show, Springer was the mayor of Cincinnati before he began probing the lowest rungs of American society with questions about whom they had cheated on their spouses with.
AL FRANKEN
This former and longtime “Saturday Night Live” featured player, segment producer and sketch writer has gone on to make a mark in politics as a senator from Minnesota.
“Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!” airs on Syfy Wednesday, July 22 at 9 p.m. EST.
Noah Zuss is a reporter for TheBlot Magazine.
