Tag: Voight

  • Mel Gibson, John Voight, Sylvester Stallone


    Topline

    President-elect Donald Trump named three film stars—Mel Gibson, Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone—as “special ambassadors” to Hollywood on Thursday, as the president-elect continues to garner more support from the pop culture world than he did four years ago.

    Key Facts

    Trump said in a post on Truth Social the three will serve as ambassadors to the “great but very troubled place” of Hollywood, and will work as his “eyes and ears” on the ground in pursuit of bringing back “The Golden Age of Hollywood!”

    All three actors have indicated support for Trump: In October, when asked who he was voting for, Gibson told TMZ he didn’t think his vote would surprise anyone and that he believed Vice President Kamala Harris had “the IQ of a fence post” and “a miserable track record.”

    Voight—the 85-year-old actor best known for “Coming Home” and “Midnight Cowboy”—has been a vocal Trump supporter for years and, in October, said “we’re now in a time of the darkest plague ever” and called Trump “the only one who will save our country.”

    Stallone, for his part, had not made his support for Trump too well-known until after Trump won the election and Stallone introduced him at a gala, calling him the “second George Washington” and saying, “nobody in the world could’ve pulled off what he pulled off.”

    Trump’s team did not immediately answer Forbes’ request for comment on what exactly the role will entail.

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    What Will Trump’s Hollywood Ambassadors Do?

    It’s not clear yet. Trump said in a Truth Social post they will “serve as Special Envoys to me for the purpose of bringing Hollywood, which has lost much business over the last four years to Foreign Countries, BACK—BIGGER, BETTER, AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE!” Trump didn’t give details on what he’d like to change—or how the envoys could fit into his plans—but TV and movie filming has shifted from Southern California to other states and foreign countries for years, as productions are lured to shoot in locations with better tax incentives and lower costs. Filming in Hollywood was down last year, according to The Hollywood Reporter, which also reported last year that other countries like Canada and Australia have been working to lure shoots away from California.

    Key Background

    Many big Hollywood names came out in support of Harris ahead of November’s presidential election, including actors Viola Davis, Dick Van Dyke, Will Ferrell, Harrison Ford, Leonardo DiCaprio and more. Fewer actors publicized support for Trump, though Dennis Quaid, Roseanna Barr and Zachary Levi endorsed him prior to the election. Trump has also gained more support from the pop culture world than he had in 2016 or 2020. At least half a dozen musicians including Carrie Underwood and the Village People—who acknowledged their preferred candidate lost—will be playing his inauguration or related events, a shift from 2017 when the Trump team struggled to find high-level performers. More athletes have come out in support of him, as well.

    Surprising Fact

    During his first term, Trump gave Voight the National Medal of Arts, the highest award given to arts patrons and artists by the government. He bestowed the honor in 2019, when he also honored musician Alison Krauss, Sharon Percy Rockefeller and the musicians of the military, the Associated Press reported.

    What To Watch For

    If Gibson, Stallone and Voight make an appearance at Trump’s inauguration events. Trump will return to the White House on Monday, and has events planned beginning Saturday evening.

    Further Reading

    Trump Inauguration: Here’s What To Know About Guest List, Schedule, Performers And More (Forbes)

    Celebrities On The Election: Charles Barkley Tells Dems To ‘Shut Up,’ Sylvester Stallone Calls Trump ‘Second George Washington’ (Forbes)



    The Hollywood Legends: Mel Gibson, John Voight, Sylvester Stallone

    In the world of entertainment, there are certain actors who have become iconic figures due to their talent, charisma, and enduring appeal. Three such actors are Mel Gibson, John Voight, and Sylvester Stallone.

    Mel Gibson, known for his roles in films such as “Braveheart,” “Lethal Weapon,” and “Mad Max,” has captured audiences with his intense performances and rugged charm. His work both in front of and behind the camera has garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, solidifying his status as a Hollywood legend.

    John Voight, with his impressive resume that includes films like “Midnight Cowboy,” “Deliverance,” and “Coming Home,” has proven himself to be a versatile and talented actor. His ability to embody a wide range of characters with depth and authenticity has earned him numerous awards and accolades throughout his career.

    Sylvester Stallone, best known for his iconic role as Rocky Balboa in the “Rocky” series, has become synonymous with the action genre. His larger-than-life persona, physical prowess, and undeniable charisma have made him a beloved and enduring figure in the world of film.

    These three actors have left an indelible mark on the industry, captivating audiences with their performances and leaving a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire future generations of actors. Mel Gibson, John Voight, and Sylvester Stallone are true Hollywood legends, and their contributions to cinema will be remembered for years to come.

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    Mel Gibson, John Voight, Sylvester Stallone, Hollywood actors, 80s movie stars, action heroes, celebrity news, film industry, entertainment industry, talented actors, iconic performances, celebrity friendships

    #Mel #Gibson #John #Voight #Sylvester #Stallone

  • Trump names Mel Gibson, Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone his special envoys to Hollywood


    President-elect Donald Trump wants to make Hollywood “bigger, better and stronger” and has cast Mel Gibson, Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone as stars of what he is calling his “Special Ambassadors to a great but very troubled place, Hollywood, California.”

    On Wednesday, the President-elect announced on his social media site that the three actors would be his eyes and ears to the moviemaking town.

    “It will again be, like The United States of America itself, The Golden Age of Hollywood!” he wrote on Truth Social.

    He also called the trio special envoys. Special ambassadors and envoys are typically chosen to respond to troubled hot spots like the Middle East, not California.

    In a statement provided to CBS News Thursday, Gibson said he “got the tweet at the same time as all of you and was just as surprised. Nevertheless, I heed the call. My duty as a citizen is to give any help and insight I can. Any chance the position comes with an Ambassador’s residence?” 

    Gibson’s Malibu home was destroyed in the wildfires which scorched the Los Angeles area.

    U.S. film and television production has been hampered in recent years, with setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hollywood guild strikes of 2023 and, in the past week, the ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Overall production in the U.S. was down 26% from 2021, according to data from ProdPro.

    In the greater L.A. area, productions were down 5.6% from 2023 according to FilmLA, the lowest since 2020. This past October, California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed expanding California’s Film & Television Tax Credit program to $750 million annually, up from $330 million. Other U.S. cities like Atlanta, New York, Chicago and San Francisco have used tax incentives to lure film and TV productions to their cities. Actor Mark Wahlberg is even making plans for a Las Vegas production hub.

    It’s unclear what exactly Gibson, Voight and Stallone will be doing in this effort to bring productions back to the U.S. Representatives for Voight and Stallone did not immediately respond to request for comment.

    Trump’s decision to select the actors as his chosen “ambassadors” underscores his preoccupations with the 1980s and ’90s, when he was a rising tabloid star in New York, and Gibson and Stallone were among the biggest movie stars in the world.

    Stallone is a frequent guest at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club and introduced him at a gala in November shortly after the election.

    “When George Washington defended his country, he had no idea that he was going to change the world. Because without him, you could imagine what the world would look like,” Stallone told the crowd. “Guess what? We got the second George Washington. Congratulations!”

    Sylvester Stallone
    President-elect Donald Trump greets actor Sylvester Stallone onstage at the America First Policy Institute Gala held at Mar-a-Lago on Nov. 14, 2024, in Palm Beach, Florida. The annual event supports Grey Team, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing military suicide.

    Getty Images


    The decision also reflects Trump’s willingness to overlook his supporters’ most controversial statements.

    Gibson’s reputation has been altered in Hollywood since 2006, when he went on an antisemitic rant while being arrested for allegedly driving under the influence. But he’s also continued to work in mainstream movies and directed the upcoming Wahlberg thriller “Flight Risk.”

    Voight is a longtime Trump supporter who has called Trump the greatest president since Abraham Lincoln.



    In a surprising move, President Donald Trump has announced that he is naming Mel Gibson, Jon Voight, and Sylvester Stallone as his special envoys to Hollywood. The three actors, known for their conservative views and support of Trump, will be tasked with promoting the administration’s agenda and improving relations between the White House and the entertainment industry.

    Gibson, Voight, and Stallone have all been vocal supporters of Trump and have attended events at the White House in the past. Gibson, who is known for his roles in films such as “Braveheart” and “The Passion of the Christ,” has previously expressed admiration for Trump’s policies. Voight, an Academy Award-winning actor, has been a staunch supporter of the president since his election in 2016. Stallone, best known for his role as Rocky Balboa, has also been a vocal supporter of Trump.

    It remains to be seen how effective these three actors will be in their new roles as special envoys to Hollywood. However, their appointment is likely to further polarize an already divided industry, with many celebrities and filmmakers expressing strong opposition to the Trump administration. Only time will tell how this unconventional move will play out in the world of entertainment.

    Tags:

    Donald Trump, Mel Gibson, Jon Voight, Sylvester Stallone, special envoys, Hollywood, politics, entertainment, celebrity, news

    #Trump #names #Mel #Gibson #Jon #Voight #Sylvester #Stallone #special #envoys #Hollywood