Many are born to act, but only a few can pull off the role of the President of the United States. It’s a role that involves a bit more than just good acting skills. Through his incredible performance in the hit showScandal, which premiered in 2012,Anthony Goldwyn, otherwise known as Tony Goldwyn, made viewers believe that he was, indeed, of presidential caliber. His natural charisma, suaveness, and charm allowed for an ease in playing the role that made it hard to imagine anyone else in the Oval Office. Even Barack Obama, who was (really) the Commander in Chief when the show was running,could not resist calling Goldwyn “Mr. President"when he saw him.
Goldwyn’s presidential presence pulls from his upbringing—It’s no secret that Goldwyn comes from a generation of leaders in the film industry. His grandfather, Oscar-winning producer Samuel Goldwyn, was one of the founders and executives of several motion picture studios in Hollywood. Living up to this legacy could have intimidated anyone. However, Goldwyn took up acting as if it was his second nature, and as soon as he established himself as an actor, he started dabbling in directing as well.
Though many actors aspire to one day sit in the director’s chair, not everyone is brave enough to make the jump. This natural tendency to lead is not the only thing that makes Goldwyn the best fit to play President Grant—here are a few more reasons:
His Interest in Politics
Fitzgerald Grant was called “the greatest politician in the game” by his Vice President (Jeff Perry). We might know politics as the way to win a presidency, but what the show has brought to our attention is that politics is the way to keeping the presidency as well. It takes an actor who is familiar with the intricacies of politics in order to give a believable performance as a U.S. president. Goldwyn is very interested in this particularly intriguing world. He is the committee co-chair of the Innocence Project, a nonprofit legal organization seeking to exonerate people who have been unjustly condemned and incarcerated because of the use of DNA testing. The goal of this organization is to bring about a positive change in the criminal justice department. Goldwyn’s interest in politics extends to being a huge supporter of Hilary Clinton as a politician, as well as an outspoken advocate for issues close to his heart.
He’s the Perfect Presidential Age
Goldwyn was 52 years old when the show was released, the perfect age for running for president. If we look atthe history of U.S. presidents, we would see that over eighty percent of them were over fifty, with very few exceptions like Theodore Roosevelt, who became president at the age of 42, making him the youngest president in the history of America. The mature age of ourScandalstar gave him the charm that some people grow into as they get older. You could look at him giving military orders, political strategies, and diplomatic rules, and you would believe that he knows what he’s doing because of all the wisdom he has acquired throughout the years. Goldwyn’s graceful aging ultimately helped to win him the presidential seat in the famous ABC political drama—throughout the show, his body language, the way he walked, and talked, and all his manners indicated the gracefulness of poise and charisma that the years would give you if you let them. And even the several scenes of outbursts and anger had a sophistication that only Goldwyn could master.
Related:Scandal: Where the Cast Is Today
He’s Both an Actor and Director onScandal
Goldwyn not only won the presidency onScandal, but the series also saw his directorial debut. The actor played the role so naturally that he felt he could even co-direct some episodes, including his own scenes with his co-starKerry Washington. This might clear up a lot of confusion as to why the scenes were perfectly shot and how they communicated strong on-screen chemistry and intimacy. Goldwyn proved himself an onscreen force to be reckoned with and an inspiration for his fellow actorsto take up directing as well. Such leaps forward in his career and such inspirational capacities put this amazing actor on a pedestal and prove that he is a natural-born leader, who is perfect for his role. Directing is not just about criticizing the actors’ performances, it’s mostly about having the flair and ability of a leader who can bring together actors and push them toward their fullest potential. Following this model, Goldwyn directed unforgettable scenes and helped in giving the show an authenticity that is hard to find. With a spirit as ignited as his, it becomes very difficult to imagine anyone else playing Fitzgerald Grant.
When all is said and done, and for the first time, we can consider that America had two amazingly charming and charismatic presidents at the same time. Only Goldwyn’s unstoppable skills as an actor could have made that happen.
