Hollywood meddles plenty in presidential and congressional politics, but how often do movie stars sink their hands into municipal races? The DC mayoral race will get its first taste of celebrity participation tomorrow when Lethal Weapon star Danny Glover campaigns with Busboys and Poets owner Andy Shallal.
While Mayor Vince Gray is giving his reelection kickoff speech on Saturday afternoon, Glover will headline a fundraiser at Shallal’s Adams Morgan home. The restaurateur and the actor will also appear together at a town hall-style event that evening at Union Temple Baptist Church in Anacostia.
The two know each other from Shallal’s work with the foreign policy organization TransAfrica, of which Glover is a board member. In campaign events, Shallal has tried to position himself as the candidate best in touch with working-class voters, so it’s a bit surprising to see him go Hollywood so soon. But Shallal is promoting Glover more for the actor’s social activism than his film work. Glover, the campaign says, “shares Shallal’s concern about the growing distance between the well-off and those left out.”
He just also happens to be the star of Lethal Weapon and Predator 2.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Danny Glover Will Campaign for DC Mayoral Candidate Andy Shallal
The “Lethal Weapon” star hasn’t gotten too old for local politics.
Hollywood meddles plenty in presidential and congressional politics, but how often do movie stars sink their hands into municipal races? The DC mayoral race will get its first taste of celebrity participation tomorrow when Lethal Weapon star Danny Glover campaigns with Busboys and Poets owner Andy Shallal.
While Mayor Vince Gray is giving his reelection kickoff speech on Saturday afternoon, Glover will headline a fundraiser at Shallal’s Adams Morgan home. The restaurateur and the actor will also appear together at a town hall-style event that evening at Union Temple Baptist Church in Anacostia.
The two know each other from Shallal’s work with the foreign policy organization TransAfrica, of which Glover is a board member. In campaign events, Shallal has tried to position himself as the candidate best in touch with working-class voters, so it’s a bit surprising to see him go Hollywood so soon. But Shallal is promoting Glover more for the actor’s social activism than his film work. Glover, the campaign says, “shares Shallal’s concern about the growing distance between the well-off and those left out.”
He just also happens to be the star of Lethal Weapon and Predator 2.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Most Popular in News & Politics
See a Spotted Lanternfly? Here’s What to Do.
Meet DC’s 2025 Tech Titans
Patel Dined at Rao’s After Kirk Shooting, Nonviolent Offenses Led to Most Arrests During Trump’s DC Crackdown, and You Should Try These Gougères
The “MAGA Former Dancer” Named to a Top Job at the Kennedy Center Inherits a Troubled Program
Trump Travels One Block From White House, Declares DC Crime-Free; Barron Trump Moves to Town; and GOP Begins Siege of Home Rule
Washingtonian Magazine
September Issue: Style Setters
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
Why a Lost DC Novel Is Getting New Attention
These Confusing Bands Aren’t Actually From DC
Fiona Apple Wrote a Song About This Maryland Court-Watching Effort
The Confusing Dispute Over the Future of the Anacostia Playhouse
More from News & Politics
Administration Steps Up War on Comedians, Car Exhibition on the Mall Canceled After Tragedy, and Ted Leonsis Wants to Buy D.C. United
Why a Lost DC Novel Is Getting New Attention
Bondi Irks Conservatives With Plan to Limit “Hate Speech,” DC Council Returns to Office, and Chipotle Wants Some Money Back
GOP Candidate Quits Virginia Race After Losing Federal Contracting Job, Trump Plans Crackdown on Left Following Kirk’s Death, and Theatre Week Starts Thursday
5 Things to Know About “Severance” Star Tramell Tillman
See a Spotted Lanternfly? Here’s What to Do.
Patel Dined at Rao’s After Kirk Shooting, Nonviolent Offenses Led to Most Arrests During Trump’s DC Crackdown, and You Should Try These Gougères
How a DC Area Wetlands Restoration Project Could Help Clean Up the Anacostia River