Charlie Wilson: Texas Pol On The Big Screen
Vince Leibowitz | Sep 18, 2006 | Comments 2
I had heard that they were making a movie about former Congressman Charlie Wilson and the book Charlie Wilson’s War.
However, I had no idea the cast was going to be so star-studded:
Charles Wilson, seen at his home in Lufkin, Texas, will be played by Tom Hanks in the upcoming movie.
[...]Mr. Hanks decided to play the congressman himself after buying story rights through his Playtone production company. Julia Roberts plays his girlfriend, the Houston socialite who lures him into the Afghan cause. Philip Seymour Hoffman, fresh off an Oscar for Capote, is the CIA officer.
Wow. I’m sure other Texas pols that have had movie and TV run-ins are quite jealous. After all, Kay Bailey Hutchison only got to appear in an episode of Walker, Texas Rangers. Texas Governor Rick Perry got to utter the memorable line, “I’ve been gettin’ calls from a lot of daddies” in that very dumb cheerleader move (the title of which I can’t remember) with Tommy Lee Jones.
This all got me to thinking: What other Texas pols have been in non-documentary motion pictures? Leave the ones you know in the comments, and I’ll compile a list.
It also made me wonder if Hollywood ever made a movie about Tom DeLay, redistricting, etc., who would play DeLay?
Better question: would anyone admit to wanting to?
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Filed Under: Texas Democrats
No Texas pols appearing in movies come to mind but the most recent flick I can remember about a Texas politician was “Bed of Lies.” The 1992 made-for-TV movie was about the killing of Price Daniel Jr. by his wife (played by Susan Dey). Also, Fred Dalton Thompson starred as legendary Texas defense attorney Racehorse Haynes.
I look forward to seeing “Charlie Wilson’s War” on the big screen. It was a great read and Charlie is a bonafide character.
He’s not short and ugly enough, but Chris Cooper could nail DeLay.
-I can’t recall the name of the smutty movie that Phil Gramm invested, but thankfully didn’t appear, in.