Backing up comments from the Argo actor/director himself, Affleck’s wife Jennifer Garner has told Allure Magazine she’d support her husband moving into the political sphere, but doesn’t think it’s time just yet for such a change. Affleck has a long history of activism in both the political and human rights sphere, and has campaigned for several Democratic politicians. It’s not much of a stretch to imagine him taking advantage of his recognisability and running for office somewhere along the line.

There are, as most are undoubtedly aware, a few precedents. Several well-known actors have decided to take the plunge into politics. How have they fared?

Easily the most successful was Ronald Reagan. Reagan enjoyed superstar status in Hollywood, his fame increasing rapidly in the years leading up to World War II. After his military service (he could never serve abroad because he was nearsighted) he switched to politics.

Originally a Democrat, Reagan changed allegiances to the Republican party in the early 1960s. By 1967, he was Governor of California. An unsuccessful bid for Presidential candidacy followed in 1976, losing out to incumbent President Gerald Ford (Ford lost the election to Jimmy Carter). However, Reagan managed to secure the nomination and, ultimately, the election in 1980. He served two terms, after surviving a serious assassination attempt in 1981, not even four months into office.

In more recent times, Arnold Schwarzenegger has become the poster boy for actors in politics. The Austrian action hero / Republican was elected as the 38th Government of California in 2003, and served two terms. Scandals and controversies saw his popularity plummet in later years, but he was also praised for his environmental work particularly.

Any of Arnie’s presidential dreams are likely to go unfulfilled, however, as currently only citizens born in the US can run for highest office. Schwarzenegger has instead started acting again, although the underperforming comeback film The Last Stand suggests audiences are uneasy about welcoming him back onto screens with open arms.

On the subject of Arnie and California, spare a thought for the late Gary Coleman. The Diff’rent Strokes star was placed on the ballot as a ‘satirical’ candidate during the messy recall election that saw Schwarzenegger elected as Governor. Coleman’s campaign included tongue-in-cheek TV appearances and backing from free newspaper East Bay Express. Coleman finished 8th out of over 130 candidates.

There are others, perhaps most notably Clint Eastwood, who for two years acted as mayor of his hometown Carmel (reportedly deciding to run as a result of a dispute with the planning authority at the time). So Ben Affleck moving into politics would be far from unprecedented. The interesting question will be how far he manages to take his potential new career if and when he decides to take such a risk...