10 Actors who played the role of President of United States at some point in their career 

Hollywood has been in awe of the President of the United States for a long time, projecting the leader of the free world onto the big screen in countless ways. While some have had the president projected as a great and heroic character, others have gone for satire, comedy, or political drama. These presentations tend to reflect society's perspective on leadership, power, and crisis management and, hence, are even more engaging.

From Harrison Ford's brave action-hero commander-in-chief in Air Force One to Morgan Freeman's wise and steady hand in Deep Impact, every actor who has played the president has left his own special mark on the role. Actors such as Jamie Foxx in White House Down contributed a surprise action-packed twist, while others, such as Jack Nicholson in Mars Attacks!, made the presidency a campy spectacle.

Television has also provided us with indelible presidents, with Martin Sheen's memorable turn in The West Wing establishing a high standard for fictional commanders-in-chief. Whatever the genre- comedic, dramatic, or satirical- these roles have conditioned audiences to consider fictional American presidents. Below are 10 actors who portrayed the U.S. president and left a lasting mark.

1. Harrison Ford – Air Force One (1997)

Harrison Ford gave perhaps the most famous presidential performance as President James Marshall in Air Force One. In contrast to the usual diplomatic leader, Ford's character was a hands-on, action-oriented commander-in-chief who took personal action against terrorists on the presidential plane. His quotable line, "Get off my plane," is one of the most oft-quoted in the history of the action film. Decades later, Ford's depiction remains one of the most dramatic and heroic depictions of a U.S. president on film.

2. Morgan Freeman – Deep Impact (1998), Olympus Has Fallen (2013), London Has Fallen (2016)

Morgan Freeman's authoritative voice and deep tone made him a natural fit for a presidential character. In Deep Impact, he portrayed President Tom Beck, a cool-headed and composed president amid a worldwide disaster. He performed another presidential stint years later in Olympus Has Fallen and its sequel, London Has Fallen, proving his versatility. Curiously, Freeman even portrayed the Speaker of the House before his rise to the presidency in Angel Has Fallen (2019). His capacity for imbuing characters with wisdom and strength makes him one of the most recognizable in contemporary cinema.

3. Kevin Kline – Dave (1993)

Kevin Kline brought humor and heart to the presidency in Dave, where he played a lookalike forced to impersonate the actual president. The film cleverly satirized American politics while giving audiences a hopeful vision of leadership. Comedic yet inspiring, Kline's performance made Dave a political classic. Light in nature itself, the film highlighted corruption and a paradigm of positive change within. Kline, with his dynamic acting career, is still awesome to this day; however, Dave may just be seen as one of his most favorite performances.

4. Michael Douglas – The American President (1995)

Michael Douglas played President Andrew Shepherd, a widowed president who balances romance and political struggles, in The American President. His vulnerable yet charming acting brought the presidency closer to humanity, making it a favorite among political dramas. Aaron Sorkin wrote the film, whose tone later inspired The West Wing. Douglas' performance was notable for its combination of strength and vulnerability, demonstrating that even world leaders grapple with personal issues. While Douglas remains brilliant in productions such as Ant-Man, his performance in The American President remains a career highlight, capturing power and private life within the White House.

5. Jack Nicholson – Mars Attacks! (1996)

Jack Nicholson's President James Dale in Mars Attacks! was anything but ordinary. In this space-age satire, he played an outrageously self-indulgent chief executive attempting (and failing) to cope with a mad alien invasion. Far from the heroic presidents of other movies, Nicholson's president was craven, self-absorbed, and destined for failure. His timing and crazy looks made the role unforgettable. Interestingly, Nicholson had two roles in the film, also playing a Las Vegas tycoon. His acting contributed to the film's absurdity, and it became a cult classic.

6. Martin Sheen – The West Wing (1999–2006)

Martin Sheen set the standard by which fictional presidents are measured, portraying President Josiah Bartlet in The West Wing. With an enormous intellect, profound empathy, and strident leadership, he is one of TV's favorite presidents. Aaron Sorkin created the show, and it's been a great political drama, defining how audiences perceive the very notion of the presidential figure. Sheen's performance continues to haunt fictional leaders as the benchmark for years after the conclusion of the show. His coming as a Bartlet comes alive in political discussions, while The West Wing keeps garnering new fans, reconfirming a legacy.

7. Dennis Quaid – American Dreamz (2006)

In American Dreamz, Dennis Quaid acted a satirical representation of the U.S. president, President Staton, who is dominated by his advisors and fixated on reality television. The movie took a satirical swipe at American politics and media culture, depicting the merging of entertainment and administration. Although the movie was not a large hit, Quaid's performance was remarkable for its quick wit and mockery of actual-world leaders. In all these years, Quaid has kept playing figures of authority and has demonstrated the range of the actor.

8. Jamie Foxx – White House Down (2013)

Jamie Foxx infused action-hero intensity into the presidency in White House Down, where he played President James Sawyer. Foxx's president was unlike his predecessors in joining forces with Channing Tatum's character to battle terrorists within the White House. His character injected humor, charm, and contemporary swagger into the presidential persona. The movie was compared to Die Hard, as Foxx's president participated actively in saving the day. Foxx's energetic presence made him a special and fun movie president. As his career in music and drama grew, his interpretation of the presidency holds a place in action movies.

9. Robin Williams – Man of the Year (2006)

Robin Williams portrayed an unconventional president in Man of the Year, starring as Tom Dobbs, a stand-up comedian who wins the presidency by accident. The movie mixed political satire with Williams' style of humor, raising questions about the role of entertainment in contemporary politics. Although the movie was on a comedy premise, it also provided cutting-edge commentary on the election process and the role of media. Williams' performance was equal parts comedy and depth, and people questioned whether a down-to-earth, relatable president was possible in the real world.

10. Kiefer Sutherland – Designated Survivor (2016–2019)

Kiefer Sutherland made a dramatic departure playing President Tom Kirkman in Designated Survivor, a political thriller in which an unassuming cabinet member becomes president after a terrorist attack annihilates the government. In contrast to the experienced leaders seen in other shows, Kirkman was an everyman who found himself in power, thus making his story so interesting. Sutherland's acting was lauded for its intensity and depth, tapping into his 24 years of experience to infuse a combination of vulnerability and strength. The show developed a devoted fan base for its intense political intrigue. Even after Designated Survivor concluded, Sutherland's performance is still a contemporary favorite among fictional TV presidents.