Celebrities from Aniston to Jordan Open Wallets

April 15, 2007 — -- The presidential campaign of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., received some needed aid from Wayne Rogers --Trapper John, M.D., from television's "M*A*S*H."

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who helmed the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, saw $4,600 slide into his net from Olympic gold medal-winning figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi and her husband, Stanley Cup-winning National Hockey League star Brett Hedican of the Carolina Hurricanes.

Yes, this is the more fun side of Federal Election Commission reports the candidates filed over the weekend -- the names you know.

Clinton received sizable donations from actors Michael Douglas, Chevy Chase, and Candace Bergen, as well as -- of course -- Barbra Streisand.

Clinton also received donations from "Polar Express" film producer Steve Bing, "Power Rangers" producer Haim Saban and legendary investor Warren Buffet.

Legendary Chicago Bull Michael Jordan drove to the hoop with a big financial bucket for Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., who also secured donations from actors Eddie Murphy, Morgan Freeman, Tom Hanks, Leonard Nimoy and Jennifer Aniston. Legendary running back Marshall Faulk also is assisting Obama's efforts to get to the Democratic primary end zone.

"Curb Your Enthusiasm" star Larry David, and his wife activist/producer Laurie David, showed enthusiasm for former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., as did Hank Azaria, Gary Cole and Seth Green -- Dr. Evil's son in the "Austin Powers" movies.

Barry Manilow gave to Edwards to the tune of $2,300, and directors Rob Reiner, Steven Spielberg and Brett Ratner also kicked in cash, along with Hollywood moguls David Geffen, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Norman Lear.

Reiner also gave to Democratic New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who had a surprisingly strong showing among names of note.

Richardson received donations from actors Michael Douglas and Val Kilmer, singer Randy Travis, film producer Jerry Weintraub, former NFL coach Barry Switzer, racing's Al Unser and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell.

Judy Blume, author of "Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret," answered Richardson's prayers with a donation as well.

Other than Cullen Loeffler of the Minnesota Vikings and big-shot Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., couldn't compete with Democrats for glitzy Hollywood names.

But McCain is being supported by lots of people who bring you entertainment, including the owners of the Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Coyotes and Dallas Cowboys; the CEOs of the St. Louis Rams, Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns; chairmen of the Walt Disney Co., and DreamWorks Animation; and the presidents of the Arizona Cardinals, Fiesta Bowl, San Francisco Giants and the MGM Grand.

President Nixon's daughter Patricia and son-in-law Christopher Cox are on board the McCain train, as are President Clinton's CIA director Jim Woolsey and President John F. Kennedy's attorney general, Griffin Bell.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani secured donations from Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, Yankees superstar Alex "A-Rod" Rodriguez and former Met Keith Hernandez.

From Hollywood, Kelsey "Fraser" Grammer, John "J. Peterman" O'Hurley from "Seinfeld," "Sopranos" producer Brad Grey and author Mary Higgins Clark also support Hizzoner.

Vera Wang, who designed Judith Nathan Giuliani's wedding gown for her wedding to the former mayor, donated a stylish $2,300. Weight loss czarina Jenny Craig likewise coughed up the maximum primary contribution.

Romney's notable donors include many members of the Marriott family; GOP Gov. Donald Carcieri of Rhode Island; the owner of the New England Patriots; and former Boston Celtic Danny Ainge.

Dodgers announcer Vin Scully gave Romney a shout-out as did one of Romney's Beacon Hill predecessors, former Gov. William Weld, R-Mass.

Kate Snow, covering the Clinton campaign, John Berman and Matt Stuart, covering the Romney campaign, David Muir, covering the Edwards campaign, and David Chalian contributed to this report.