By BrainFall Staff - Updated: April 30, 2024
Starring as the president of the United States can be difficult, but there are certainly ones that stick out in our minds. We’re talking of course about the actors who played fictional presidents in either a TV or movie. Portraying the American president and showing what it’s like to either run a presidential campaign or be an acting president takes a certain cache. Well, for the most part anyway, as there have been some funny and off-kilter presidents on the big or little screens.
But if you’re curious if you should be the vice president or the president, maybe you should base your position on a fictional president. Take a ride in Air Force One, walk down the West Wing, and know the White House like the back of your hand. See what it’s like to have Secret Service agents and how to make the Oval Office your own. Think you know which of the fictional presidents you’re most like? Take this quiz to find out.
Fictional Presidents
Fictional presidents have been portrayed by many actors and actresses over many years. Playing the commander-in-chief is a tall task, but many actors have taken a crack at it. Whether they are playing an elected president, a former president, the chief executive, or the leader of the free world, it's difficult. But being the actual president has its perks, especially with some great writing behind you.
People tend to want their fictional presidents to have some grace and power. Taking a ride on Air Force One to see what it's really like but also giving a commanding press conference from there is something you might see in a movie. The first female president is also something we've seen on TV and in the movies. There tend to be discussions with other countries, like Russia and the Soviet Union. There might be an attack on the White House (perhaps an alien invasion) or a correspondent with the prime minister of a foreign country. Regardless, there are some wild scenarios we've seen fictional presidents have to deal with.
Which of the Fictional Presidents Are You?
Ever wonder which fictional commander-in-chief you’d be if the fate of a made-up nation rested on your shoulders? Would you rule the Oval Office with an iron fist, charm the pants off the press, or navigate political drama with a little too much relish? Let's face it, with the number of crises real presidents face, sometimes it’s more fun to step into the shoes of a pretend POTUS where the biggest worry is whether to pick the red or blue tie.
We've all seen our fair share of fictional presidents on screen—charismatic, flawed, heroic, or sometimes downright quirky. But which one mirrors your presidential personality? Just like in real elections, we won’t make false promises here. If you've got a penchant for making grand speeches while looking dramatically out of the Oval Office window or handling alien invasions with finesse, you’re in the right place!
But hold on to your campaign buttons, folks, because we’ve cooked up a quiz that will reveal your alter-ego in the highest fictional office of the land. It's time to find out—are you more of a policy-wielding politico or an idealist with a heart of gold? Buckle up, because our journey to the world of make-believe politics is about to begin, and trust us, it's going to be yuge!
Presidential Portraits
When we think of presidential greatness in the land of make-believe, it's not just the stirring speeches or the dramatic decisions that captivate us. Oh no! It's the larger-than-life personas and how they're immortalized in the 'Oval Office' that really sticks. Let's strap on our imaginative seat belts and take a whimsical ride through the halls of fictitious power.
The Oval Office On Screen
"The West Wing", helmed by the one-and-only Aaron Sorkin, gave us a White House that was as entertaining as a roller coaster at a theme park. Martin Sheen as President Josiah Bartlet had the kind of presence that could command a room, and then some, with portraits painting a picture of measured gravitas. Can't you just picture him there, pointers in hand, ready to map out America's next move?
Character in Chief
Now, get this, Kevin Kline rocked it as Dave Kovic in "Dave", the everyman who accidentally becomes President. Even the official portrait would have grinned back with that affable smile, sneaky enough to make us believe in the good guy winning. And Morgan Freeman, portraying President in "Deep Impact" with a demeanor as strong as his voice, definitely deserves a grand portrait on the movie-screen mantle of leadership.
Memorable Moments
Let us not forget when Sigourney Weaver took charge as Elaine Barrish in "Political Animals". There’s a president who’d have a portrait just oozing with resilience and determination. And for all of us clinging to hope during an alien invasion, President Thomas Whitmore from "Independence Day" with his pre-battle pep talk that could stir even the sleepiest of hearts? That’s a portrait we'd all salute!
Drama in the White House
Dive into the riveting world of fictional presidents with us, where the Oval Office is a stage for both triumph and turmoil. From election night shocks to Oval Office showdowns, let's see which head of state you'd be!
Campaign Trails & Plot Twists
On "Designated Survivor," we saw Tom Kirkman, an unassuming Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, become President after a catastrophic attack during the State of the Union. Meanwhile, films like "Independence Day" thrust President Thomas J. Whitmore, a former Vietnam veteran, into a world-saving mission against aliens. Each character's journey to and within the White House is littered with unforeseen challenges and dramatic turns that test their mettle.
- President Jed Bartlet in "The West Wing" has multiple sclerosis, a secret that adds another layer of drama to his tenure and reelection campaign.
- Presidential elections take center stage in "Scandal," with President Fitzgerald Grant's terms filled with passionate politics and personal entanglements.
Personal & Political Battles
From "24"'s President David Palmer, who faces both assassination attempts and intense reelection battles, to "Veep"'s Selina Meyer, who constantly juggles the demands of her career, public image, and private embarrassments, personal battles are as common as political ones. In every episode, we're reminded that presidents are just as human as the rest of us.
- Crises strike at the heart of the presidency on the regular, from political scandals to threats of a meltdown.
- Through presidential portrayals by actors like Kiefer Sutherland and Jack Nicholson, viewers glimpse the heavy burden of leadership, often laced with a good dose of humor.
