Fred Thompson: Conservative actors know they are the ‘distinct minority’ in Hollywood

If you have a good memory, you might recall actor Fred Thompson’s flash in the pan presidential campaign, where he sought to steal the Republican nomination from the clutches of John McCain. Well, now he is making waves again with a new movie that just might rub Washington D.C. the wrong way.

Thompson spoke to the Hollywood Reporter about his new movie Persecuted, and the difficulties of being a conservative in Hollywood.

Persecuted is the story of a televangelist framed for murder by the Senate majority leader and other powerful government officials. And while the movie doesn’t mention the Senator’s political party, the Hollywood Reporter couldn’t help but ask if the plot “rung true.”

Thompson seized the opportunity to reiterate his conservative politics, saying that, “This is not a documentary, but it reminds us that we have to be vigilant and that a strong, centralized government can pose the biggest challenge to people’s constitutional rights.”

Thompson concluded the interview with some thoughts about being a conservative actor. He told the Hollywood Reporter that moviemaking was “a tough business for everybody,” but acknowledged that conservative actors face additional challenges.

“If you happen to run across a particular moviemaker who’s politically oriented and your views don’t coincide, then it could be an issue. There’s no question about that. It’s a tougher road to travel. Conservatives don’t go out of their way to advertise their political views because they know they’re the distinct minority. It’s not just actors, but also behind-the-camera folks.”