The 35 Best Fictional Presidents in Movies and TV

Allison Taylor becomes the first female president in “24,” the action drama television series starring Kiefer Sutherland as counter-terrorist agent Jack Bauer. She takes office in the TV movie “24: Redemption” and serves in seasons 7 and 8.

In this political satire, Grammer plays the incumbent Republican president, whose race against a Democratic challenger (Dennis Hopper) will be decided by a single vote by an apolitical no-nothing (Kevin Costner).

In this film the president, played by Michael Douglas, falls for a lobbyist and has to choose between love and career.

Claire Underwood is the wife of Frank Underwood in the TV show “House of Cards.” Both are ruthless schemers and after becoming his vice-president, she succeeds him in the Oval Office.

Keith Carradine plays Conrad Dalton in this popular TV series. As president, he’s the boss of Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord, portrayed by Téa Leoni. McCord succeeds Dalton as president herself in Season 6 (the final season) of the show.

Alfre Woodard plays Constance Payton, the first African-American woman president, in this espionage thriller TV series, which ran for only one season.

David Palmer is a U.S. senator and later president in the action drama television series “24.” He’s the show’s second-most prominent protagonist after Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland).

In “The Man,” James Earl Jones plays Douglass Dilman, the president pro tem of the Senate, who takes office after the president is killed in an accident and the vice-president is too ill to take the post. As the Black president, though an unelected one, he faces racism and scandal.

Mike Judge’s sci-fi comedy – about a nondescript soldier who awakens in a future in which stupidity has taken over the country – stars former NFL linebacker Crews as a pro wrestler and pоrn star turned boorish Chief Executive.

A CIA analyst appointed as secretary of state by President Conrad Dalton (Keith Carradine) after the incumbent dies in a plane crash, McCord succeeds Dalton as Chief Executive in the sixth and final season of the show.

In “Scandal,” the president, played by Tony Goldwyn, has an affair with a crisis manager, played by Kerry Washington.

Frank Underwood is the husband of Claire Underwood in the TV show “House of Cards.” He schemes to win the presidency, and she eventually succeeds him. As the sixth and final season of “House of Cards” was being filmed, Spacey faced numerous charges of sexual abuse, and was written out of the show.

“The Sum of All Fears” is a spy thriller film based on Tom Clancy’s novel of the same name. It features the character Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford), who has to avert a nuclear war between the U.S. and Russia on President Fowler’s watch.

“Primary Colors” is a 1998 American comedy-drama film about a thinly disguised Bill Clinton’s first presidential campaign in 1992.

“The Contender” is a political drama about the president’s efforts to appoint a female vice-president. It has been described as a response to the Monica Lewinsky scandal during the Bill Clinton administration.

Jack Nicholson plays the self-important President Dale, who thinks he can successfully negotiate with invaders from Mars. Nicholson also portrays an over-the-top casino owner.

“Air Force One” is an action film in which terrorists hijack the president’s plane and he has to retake it and rescue everybody on board.

“White House Down” is an action film in which a police officer (Channing Tatum) has to rescue his daughter and the president when terrorists attack the White House.

“The West Wing” is a long-running TV series set in the West Wing of the White House during the Democratic administration of President Jed Bartlet, played by Martin Sheen.

Katie Holmes plays the college-aged daughter of the president (Michael Keaton) in this romantic comedy.

“Seven Days in May” is a political thriller film about an attempt to take over the U.S. government in reaction to the president’s negotiation of a disarmament treaty with the Soviet Union.

“Mackenzie Allen” is a TV series about the first female president, who takes office after the incumbent dies. His dying wish is that she step aside to let someone “more appropriate” fill his shoes.

Comedian Newhart is joined by other comic actors, including Gilda Radner and Madeline Kahn, in this satire about America’s dysfunctional relations with a fictional African nation

Matthew Vincente Santos is a Democratic U.S. Congressman who succeeds Jed Bartlet as president in the seventh and final season of “The West Wing.”

Television satirist and late-night host Colbert voices the role of the hapless President Hathway, who attempts to save the planet from an alien invasion.

“Dr. Strangelove” is a black comedy film that satirizes the Cold War fears of a nuclear conflict between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Peter Sellers played several roles, including President Merkin Muffley and the eponymous mad scientist Dr. Strangelove.

“Fail Safe” is a Cold War thriller in which the president has to try to prevent a nuclear war after U.S. bombers are sent in error to destroy Moscow.

Kline portrays both President Mitchell and Dave, a man hired to impersonate him after he has a stroke will having sex with a staffer.

“Advise & Consent” is a political drama film about the nomination process for a secretary of state. The title is a phrase describing the power of the Senate to approve treaties and government appointments.

In this satirical political series, Louis-Dreyfus builds her power as the titular “veep” and becomes president when the incumbent resigns. She loses a subsequent election, but schemes to return to the Oval Office and eventually succeeds.

In this British comedy, Thornton plays a cocky unnamed U.S. president who insults the prime minister and comes on to a member of his staff. One critic described the character as “a sleazy Bill Clinton/George W. Bush hybrid.”

In the film “Independence Day,” the earth is attacked by extraterrestrials and the president, a former fighter pilot and war veteran, leads the counter-attack.

“Deep Impact” is a science-fiction disaster film in which the president faces an unprecedented challenge: a comet is on a collision course with earth.

In “Designated Survivor,” the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development becomes president after all the more senior members of government are wiped out in a terrorist attack.

James plays a one-time video arcade game champion who becomes president in later life – and finds that his gaming skills might help him save the planet from invading aliens.