Straight Shooters: Five Conservative Actors From Hollywood’s Golden Age

Conservative actors are rare in today’s Hollywood as many are afraid of professional repercussions. However, during the Golden Age of Hollywood, conservative actors were not afraid to share their views openly. Let’s take a look at some of the conservative stars who left an indelible mark in Hollywood.

John Wayne

John Wayne is the ultimate conservative actor who played an endless array of heroes like soldiers, cowboys, warriors, and fighters. He backed conservative politicians and supported the U.S. soldiers even in highly contentious wars. He directed and starred in “The Green Berets,” one of the most pro-Vietnam War films to date.

Jimmy Stewart

Jimmy Stewart, an actor who held a distinguished career, was also decorated fighter pilot during World War II. He supported conservative causes, and although he refused to join the political ranks, he became a favored guest on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson in his later years.

Gary Cooper

Gary Cooper delivered a commanding performance as a sheriff in “High Noon,” which served as an allegory for the 1950s era Blacklist. Cooper also served on the executive board of the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals, a group dedicated to removing communists from the American scene.

Charlton Heston

Charlton Heston, famous for his role in “Ben Hur,” firmly supported conservative causes, including his famous cry as the president of the National Rifle Association, “From my cold, dead hands.” However, he previously marched with Martin Luther King Jr. during the early 1960s for the civil rights movement.

Bing Crosby

Bing Crosby was a Republican who supported GOP presidential hopeful Wendell Willkie in 1940. Though he shunned taking pictures with politicians, he held a significant influence over the pop culture of his day, conquering movies, music, radio, and television.

Overall, these conservative actors proudly shared their views during Hollywood’s Golden Age, leaving a remarkable impression on the film industry.

Christian Toto is an award-winning journalist, movie critic, and editor of HollywoodInToto.com. He previously served as associate editor with Breitbart News’ Big Hollywood. Follow him at @HollywoodInToto. 

The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.