Actor-Politicians Across the World

Feb. 23 -- They may have to don on a new set of costumes, read from a different script, and abandon the world of make-believe for the harsh realities of civic leadership, but that has not deterred actors and actresses across the world from opting for a life in the world of politics.

Here are some famous actors and actresses across the world who have made forays into politics:

Jayaram Jayalalitha, India: To her fans, she's the "Mother Goddess of the World," a buxom former starlet turned politician who has the ability to bring down the national government. To her critics, she is the "Iron Lady," the chief minister of a southern Indian state who brooks no opposition and has a fearsome reputation for intimidating rivals and suing publications.

Jayaram Jayalalitha first became chief minister of the state of Tamil Nadu in 1991, when her mentor — or some say, lover — M.G. Ramachandran, another legendary Indian actor-politician, died. She has been a figure in the Indian political scene ever since, despite major corruption allegations, including a police raid on her home that yielded a treasure trove of diamond-studded jewelry, hundreds of expensive silk sarees and 700 pairs of shoes, which earned her the nickname, "Booty Queen."

Still, Jayalalitha commands godlike adoration in her native state with one supporter cutting off and offering the actress-politician one of his fingers during her 55th birthday celebrations earlier this year.

Eva Peron, Argentina: Argentina's famous former first lady rose from humble beginnings to launch a successful career as a radio and film actress before she married Juan Domingo Peron. When Peron was elected president in 1946, his glamorous wife was put in charge of labor relations. Despite her relatively minor official position, Eva — or Evita, as she was popularly called — rose to immense power and popularity in Argentina.

A passionate speaker whose ill health lent her a sense of vulnerability, Evita was a committed Peronist. By extending voting rights to women and equal rights to illegitimate children, she won the hearts of many of her country's poor and disposed. But for many wealthy Argentines, Evita was a symbol of anti-democratic populism who used her position for personal gain.