DreamWorks (Creative Commons)

Of Hollywood’s fifteen top earning actors in 2010, nearly all support the Democrats. And the same is true for Hollywood’s directors, who regularly pledge money to the Democratic Party.

With the Californian gubernatorial elections coming up Nov. 2, Hollywood has been flexing its financial and political muscle, backing Democratic candidate Jerry Brown for governor against Republican Meg Whitman.

These endorsements are pushing Brown to an election win; in a recent Angus Reid opinion poll he lead Whitman 53 percent to 41 percent.

Hollywood’s endorsement of Brown and their generous donations have been vital to Brown's Democratic campaign, helping him compete against Whitman’s personal fortune.

The former CEO of eBay has been able to delve into her immense personal wealth of over $1 billion, and she has already spent a record $130 million to date on her campaign; a personal spending record for any Californian election campaign.

Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen, the founders of DreamWorks Animation, held a "Hollywood Soiree" for Brown last Thursday at $5,000 to $25,000 a head at Soho house in West Hollywood (the trio previously held fundraisers for President Obama and former President Bill Clinton).

Co-chairs of the fundraising event included other Hollywood luminaries’ J.J. Abrams, Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, George Lucas and Rob Reiner.

Hollywood’s studios are, however, far less aligned with one candidate, keeping their business interests first.

Disney co-chaired the event and pledged $25,000 to Brown (that’s after donating $8,200 to Whitman’s election campaign).

DreamWorks' trio cited Brown’s experience; he held the governor position in the '80s as the reason for their support.

Andy Spahn, a political consultant for Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen said in Variety: “They all believe he knows the job inside and out and is the best qualified candidate to fix the mess in Sacramento.”

Spahn added that “He was way ahead of his time in promoting the environment and renewable energy, on bringing diversity to government, and in championing the arts.”

Meg Whitman may feel hard done by, as her views are not particularly anti-Hollywood or right-wing, i.e. she supports gay marriage and adoption, and supports abortion rights, but is firmly against the legalization of marijuana.

Paul Rodriguez, a Mexican-born American stand-up comedian and actor, is one of the few entertainers to back Whitman.

Rodriguez said, “I find Meg Whitman to be a fresh, independent thinking candidate who is committed to what we care about most: jobs and education. Without jobs and good schools, Californians’ futures are limited.”

The election ultimately comes down to who can do the best job for California and bring the state back to prosperity. The winner will begin their tenure in 2011, replacing world-renowned actor and governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

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