Top 5 Political Cameos on the Big Screen

— -- intro: In honor of the Academy Awards this Sunday, here's a look at the top five politicians-turned-actors who, despite giving their all as supporting actors on the big screen, never heard the five golden words, "And the Oscar goes to..."

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1. Sen. Patrick Leahy

“The Dark Knight” (2008)media: 29088154text: Over the last almost 40 years Sen. Leahy has emerged as a leader in the Senate, particularly in his starring role on the judiciary committee. But somehow the Vermont native has still found time to play several small parts in four Batman movies. A fan of the Caped Crusader since childhood, the politico donates all of the proceeds he receives from the movies to the Vermont library where he checked out his first book. And though he refused to answer questions as to whether he’ll continue his cameos in the next Batman movie hitting theaters in 2016, he recently told a Vermont reporter, “Let’s hope they don’t cut one scene from the next Batman movie. It will be very good for the library if they don’t.”quicklist:2title:

2. Sen. John McCain

“Wedding Crashers” (2005)media: 29088199text: Given that the bride in the wedding this comedy centers around is daughter to fictional Secretary of the Treasury (played by Christopher Walken), it makes sense that a top member of Congress like the senior senator from Arizona would be in attendance. What’s more, in Sen. McCain’s quick “Wedding Crashers” cameo he’s accompanied by a fellow beltway celeb from the opposite side of the aisle: A-list Democratic strategist James Carville.quicklist:3title:

3. Former Sen. Fred Thompson

“Hunt for Red October” (1990)media: 29088542text: Thompson is perhaps the politico who played the biggest role in their film appearance. In “Hunt for Red October” we see Thompson employ his acting chops on a submarine playing an admiral. While Thompson served as minority counsel to the Senate Watergate committee, he later was a working thespian. He joined the cast of "Law & Order” during his last Senate term in 2002 where he remained for five years. His resume ranges from a small supporting part in “Die Hard 2" to playing his real-life role of politician in an episode of “Sex and the City” in 2000.quicklist:4title:

4. Senators Harry Reid, Barbara Boxer, Chuck Grassley, & Orrin Hatch

“Traffic” (2000) media: 29088684text: After Michael Douglas’ character is tapped to serve as “drug czar” to the president’s National Drug Control policy office in this thriller about illegal drug trafficking, one of his first tasks is to chat with leading members of the Senate at a cocktail party in Georgetown. He hears the concerns of Sen. Harry Reid, then Senate whip, Sen. Barbara Boxer and Sen. Grassley, both strong voices in the war against drugs, and Sen. Hatch, who ran in the Republican presidential primary the year the film was released. All four senators have made other on-screen appearances, from popular TV shows like “Parks and Recreation” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” to sharing their real-life political views in documentary film.quicklist:5title:

5. Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani

“Anger Management” (2003) media: 29088726text: “You can do it, David! Give her a five second frencher!” then-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani says from behind the dugout while encouraging Adam Sandler’s character to kiss his would-be fiancé, who would only accept his proposal on the condition of getting a smooch before a packed Yankee stadium. Seated just above the team’s dugout, Giuliani leads the crowd in a chant, “kiss her, David!” But this comedy about out-of-control tempers isn’t the only acting gig the former mayor’s had: He’s appeared as himself in the 90s movie “Eddie,” on the small screen on “Cosby” and “Law & Order,” as well as voicing himself for an episode of “The Simpsons.”

ABC News’ Jordyn Phelps, Richard Coolidge, and Gary Westphalen contributed to this report.