Bernie Sanders may not have the backing of any Democratic members of Congress, but on Friday his campaign announced endorsements from 128 actors, musicians, and cultural figures.
Sanders’ new, big-name Hollywood backers include actors Will Ferrell, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Piven, and Danny DeVito, who had previously given the maximum $2,700 donation to Democratic rival Martin O’Malley.
It’s an eclectic mix that includes people ranging from Hans Zimmer, known for his movie scores, to DJ Skeet Skeet, along with Shepard Fairey, the artist known for making the ubiquitous “Hope” poster of Barack Obama in the 2008 campaign. All four members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers also announced their support for Sanders, along with members of the bands Fun., Sonic Youth, the Foo Fighters, and Edward Sharpe & Magnetic Zeroes.
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Singer-songwriters Lucinda Williams, Graham Nash and David Crosby are all on the list, along with rappers Killer Mike and Lil B. And it includes some non-artists like physician Patch Adams, who was the subject of a Robin Williams biopic, and Apple Computers Co-Founder Steve Wozniack.
“Bernie Sanders is the only candidate speaking against the wide spread legalized corruption that has handed our government to billionaires, large corporations and banks,” said writer and director Adam McKay, who co-wrote and directed “Anchorman” with Ferrell and helped organize the artists.
Lil B said Sanders’ appeal comes from his “honesty and being in touch with the common man and woman.”
Still, Sanders is badly trailing Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton when it comes to endorsements from Democratic elected officials and leaders, who play an important role in the nominating process.
Alex Seitz-Wald