The 25 best presidents from film and TV

Despite a cast that features comedy legends Bob Newhart as President Link, Madeline Kahn as the boozy First Lady, and sex-starved First Daughter Gilda Radner, this early 1980s Buck Henry film is rather forgettable. As the bumbling commander in chief, Newhart has moments of comedy genius, though.

Geena Davis takes her turn as the first woman U.S. president. However, President Allen's time in charge of the country lasted one season in 2005-06. Thrust into the role after the sitting president dies unexpectedly, Allen is admirable in the part of Madam President and shows a decent amount of confidence. However, the character never got the chance to be properly developed.

Katie Holmes stars as Samantha MacKenzie, daughter of the U.S. president played by Michael Keaton. He's an overprotective father who is not ready to let his little girl become the adult she's blossomed into. That eventually changes, and President MacKenzie is confident enough to let Sam enjoy her own life. It's a predictable plot, but Keaton is endearing in his role.

Hail to the Chief lasted only seven episodes in the spring of 1985, but the great Patty Duke was more than serviceable as the first female President of the United States. It's not easy balancing family and foreign policy. Duke's President Mansfield gave it go, but not enough were watching to show her support. 

Asher (Aaron Eckhart) is a secondary character in the Fallen series of films, but he's more than noteworthy as the President of the United States. He's also experienced his fair share of devastation while in office, losing his wife and being there when the White House comes under attack. Asher's ability to persevere might be his greatest strength on the job. 

Kevin James as the President of the United States? Oh boy! Actually, there have been worse presidents to grace the big screen, and James' President Cooper is an everyman who becomes elected the leader of the free world but has to prove his worth. He's still a kid at heart, and his biggest strength in the position is that he's good at video games. Pixels is not meant to be taken seriously, and neither is James as the president. 

Though this political action thriller from 2013 received mediocre reviews, James Sawyer (Jamie Foxx) is a president who does not mind getting his hands dirty. In this case, to help keep the White House intact after terrorists pay a visit. Sawyer also has his moments of comedy while in the face of danger and does not like anybody touching his Jordans. 

Tom Beck (Morgan Freeman) was probably a great president in the everyday sense of the job. However, he is not very good in terms of trying to save the world. President Beck did not have a good game plan or a backup idea to keep that massive comet from crashing into Earth. He also managed to let a middling television reporter get the better of him in breaking the story. 

While the script is a little jagged and the film is rather short with just over 90 minutes of running time, Dilman (James Earl Jones) is believable as the first African-American president — and also one who was not elected. It was intended to be a groundbreaking film but never reached those heights. 

Some fans of Scandal will argue that Grant's wife, the passionate and eager to succeed Mellie, actually fit the role of President of the United States better. However, President "Fitz" earned two terms in the Oval Office and is one of the more complex leaders on this list. Grant was born to be president, but his head was all over the place, and he struggled often to successfully balance politics and love for Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington). 

In the 24 universe, Taylor was the first female U.S. president. Actress Cherry Jones, who played Taylor and won an Emmy for the role, called her character "idealized." She's confident, but we learn she might not be ready for primetime and can be too eager to be heard. After all, she's only human.  

Played brilliantly by veteran character actor Gregory Itzin, Logan is elevated from vice president to president in the show's fourth season when Commander in Chief John Keeler is injured in a terrorist attack. Logan is a terrible leader, but Itzin makes it entertaining. He's insecure, indecisive, greedy, and corrupt, Plus, Jack Bauer has seen through him for years, which doesn't bode well for anybody.

The no-named president (Billy Bob Thornton) is not very likable. He's arrogant, inappropriate, and a bully. Leave it to David (Hugh Grant) to put the U.S. president in his place during one of the film's most memorable scenes that leaves him speechless. 

U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland) never thought about being president. Then, the U.S. Capital is blown up during the State of the Union, and the line of succession to the presidency leads to him. He tries his best to lead the country in recovery while also dealing with various issues that arise — not to mention the eventual death of his wife. As time goes on, Kirkman grows more confident and entertaining to watch.

President Evans (Jeff Bridges) is a leader who knows what he wants. He's smart, confident, and is not afraid to take on those with personal agendas or expecting political favors. He does not act on a whim and commands respect when he speaks. It's that kind of leadership that plays well on screen and off. 

The great Peter Sellers plays various roles in Stanley Kubrick's legendary dark, satirical film. According to Sellers, his inspiration for this role as the insecure President Muffley came from former Midwest politician and 1950s presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson. Muffley doesn't mean to be funny, but Sellers' portrayal can't help one from chuckling every time the president opens his mouth. 

James Dale has to be one of the most clueless and incompetent presidents ever to grace the big screen. Though Jack Nicholson is solid as the commander in chief, it's highly comical how he actually thinks these aliens, who invaded earth and continue to slaughter citizens of the planet, are still on a mission of peace.

In the Veep world, Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) was the first female President of the United States. But as with her role as vice president, Meyer was highly ineffective, morally inept, and as self-centered as any politician around. Of course, that was the point of Dreyfus' portrayal and the show. Selina's appropriateness and loathing of pretty much anybody around her translated into comedy gold.

For those who saw this 2006 Mike Judge film that has earned cult classic status over the years, more than a few scenes were stolen by President Camacho (Terry Crews). Imagine if a pro wrestler were president and Vince McMahon was his chief of staff. He's a straight-shooter, albeit off target, but is passionate in a misguided way and downright hilarious as a satirical jab from Judge at our political leaders.

A true patriot, President Whitmore (Bill Pullman) goes from the Oval Office to the cockpit of a fighter plane to help save the world from aliens. Whitmore's courage in the face of danger and after losing his wife is one of the most unselfish presidential acts seen on the big screen and television. Pullman's Whitemore actually seems more genuine than Will Smith's marine pilot Captain Steven Hiller. 

A presidential impersonator actually becomes the president without the world knowing? It's so crazy it just might work. Dave Kovic (Kevin Kline) is so good at impersonating President Marshall that the role and film have become one of the most endearing of Kline's stellar acting career.

Would we expect anything less from Harrison Ford when saving the day as a U.S. president who fights terrorists after they hijack Air Force One? They did not know who they were messing with. President Marshall is a great leader and a decorated Vietnam veteran with a penchant for kicking a little butt. No matter how extreme the circumstances. 

Martin Sheen has played several memorable roles, but his take as Aaron Sorkin's President "Jed" Bartlet in this long-running NBC favorite might be at the top of the list. He's Sorkin's vision for a president: confident yet flawed. A staunch Democrat, Bartlet battled his own physical limitations with the integrity of a stoic fighter who would do what he believes is best for the American public.

Our final reference to 24 is by far the best of the bunch. After Dennis Haysbert was finished hitting homers as Pedro Cerrano and before he was pushing Allstate, he was the great David Palmer. He was a confident, commanding U.S. president but one who had to watch his back within his own administration — and family. Of course, Palmer's greatest asset was his belief in Jack Bauer.

Perhaps even more so than "Jed" Bartlet, President Shepherd (Michael Douglas) represents Aaron Sorkin's ideal American leader: intelligent, handsome, charming, and extremely confident even when most vulnerable. Considering our current political climate in the United States, Andrew Shepherd would be a savior and someone we can count on and maybe even draw some bipartisan love. Is it OK to dream?