A Republican on the red carpet

Actor and Republican John O’Hurley of Seinfeld

By Andrew R Quinio
From the May 2005 Print Edition

Many know him from “Seinfeld” as the oddball catalogue publisher whose gibberish and affection for The English Patient added stress to Elaine Benice’s life. Unbeknownst to many, J. Peterman has left the jungles of Burma to support the Republican Party. John O’Hurley, the actor who played the television character, is an open conservative whose views have been known among his colleagues throughout his acting career.

O’Hurley addressed students at the 2005 College Republican Convention in Sacramento last month, evoking the eloquent and eccentric humor many know him for. With self-deprecation for both himself and his “Seinfeld” character, O’Hurley filled the Sacramento Convention Center with uproarious laughter, claiming to be responsible for canceled shows and calling Peterman a lunatic. Amid the hilarity was the seriousness of issues pressing the state of California, which O’Hurley highlighted in his address.

Education reform was a main concern for the actor. O’Hurley spoke about his high school years, during which an exceptional English teacher encouraged him to try out for the school play. That marked the beginning of an enjoyable and fruitful career. According to O’Hurley, teachers who encourage their students to express their potential to the fullest are examples of “education working correctly.” On the other hand, O’Hurley added, a teacher who spends most of his time bashing Bush is an example of “education working incorrectly.”

As far as the rest of California politics is concerned, the “Seinfeld” castmember remarked, “In Great Britain, it’s the cows that are crazy. In California, it’s us.”

The Patriot caught up with John O’Hurley for an interview. Sipping wine from a plastic cup and clutching a book by former Congressman Jim Rogan, ‘Peterman’ responded to our questions with the usual eloquence and comedy on the side:

Patriot: What hope do you have for conservative filmmakers who are trying to counter Michael Moore’s use of a popular medium to get their message out?

O’Hurley: There were answers to Michael Moore’s films like Voices in Iraq, but see it’s an opposite thing. With Moore’s films, people whine without offering solutions; it’s not in conservatives’ minds to just complain. We offer solutions, so it doesn’t lend itself to that sort of filmmaking.

P: Without getting any of your former co-stars in trouble, can you tell us of any colleagues of yours who gave you a hard time for being a Republican?

O: Oh, my best man, who I won’t name, is extremely well-known as an actor, is as staunch a Democrat as I am a Republican, and as I said he brings up all the complaints and none of the answers.

P: Is it suicide for an actor’s career in Hollywood if he or she mentions conservative political affiliation?

O: No, I think Hollywood is struggling for its own survival and anyone that could attempt to black-ball people must be in a very strong position. These people change jobs every two years.

P: Rob Reiner announced his candidacy for governor against Arnold in ’06. What are your thoughts?

O: I know Rob Reiner to really be all about the delivery and politics doesn’t belong there, just like on a college campus. I think it is a non sequitur. I don’t think he has the potential clout he said he has.

P: You advised students not to follow any of Peterman’s actions or sayings, but there have to be some Republican values in him. He nearly fired Elaine for having traces of opium in her system.

O: She also got fired because she didn’t like The English Patient …

P: Would you consider doing a show with a political theme?

O: Oh, absolutely. I’d do a series of “The West Wing.”

P: It seems like the prominent Hollywood Republicans are more eloquent and articulate than many of their acting peers. People like Charlton Heston, Kelsey Grammer, and yourself speak very well and are all Republican. Coincidence?

O: Well, just to be lumped in that category, I’ll try not to make gurgling noises. I think there is a sense, sort of like the mom-and-dad thing. The mom wants to feed everyone and the dad says, “How are we going to pay for it?” And maybe because we need to know all the facts we become more eloquent.

P: What is your favorite “Seinfeld” episode?

O: “The Wedding Cake,” when Elaine took my 45-year-old wedding-cake slice and replaced it with a $2 Entenmann’s. I just thought it was the best show with the filming and characters. I also liked the “Frogger Game” episode.

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