In a noteworthy intersection of film and politics, actor Gabriel Basso, who portrayed JD Vance in the film "Hillbilly Elegy," has openly criticized actors who engage in political discourse. Basso, hailing from the Midwest like Vance, believes that actors should refrain from expressing political opinions publicly. Meanwhile, JD Vance, a former U.S. Senator for Ohio and Donald Trump's running mate, has faced significant scrutiny, including being mocked by opponents over false rumors and criticized for spreading debunked stories about Haitian immigrants.
JD Vance's rise in politics was initially met with skepticism. Once seen as an albatross to Trump's campaign, Vance's journey from author to politician was unexpected. Ron Howard, the director of "Hillbilly Elegy," expressed surprise at the rhetoric from Vance's campaign, which ultimately positioned him a heartbeat away from the U.S. presidency.
“Surprised and concerned by a lot of the rhetoric coming out of that campaign,” – Howard
Vance's memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy," which recounts his tumultuous childhood in Middletown, Kentucky, was adapted into a film starring Basso. The book delves into Vance's experiences with his mother's opioid addiction and his upbringing in the Midwest. The film received critical acclaim and earned two Oscar nominations, further entwining Basso's and Vance's lives.
“When he’s thinking about his life – they made a movie of his book, and my name will always be in the description,” – Basso
Despite Vance's political controversies, he remains steadfast in his opinions. At the Munich Security Conference, he accused European leaders of suppressing free speech and failing to address illegal migration.
“If you’re running in fear of your voters, there is nothing America can do for you, nor for that matter is there anything you can do for the American people,” – Vance
Gabriel Basso's opinion on actors engaging in politics is clear. He likens actors to "court jesters" whose primary role is to entertain rather than wield political influence.
“We’re court jesters. We’re entertaining. We’re public servants. We’re there to perform, to entertain, and then all of sudden, the jester, because he’s in the courtroom starts to be like: ‘I might want to go sit on the throne!’” – Basso
Basso's statement suggests a firm boundary between entertainment and politics, reflecting his belief that actors hold no authority to influence public political opinion.
While Basso maintains his stance on the role of actors in society, JD Vance continues to navigate the political landscape with his outspoken views. Despite their different paths, both figures remain connected through their shared history and the film that brought Vance's story to life.