By Melanie Mason, Tribune Washington Bureau –
WASHINGTON — Oscar winner Robert Duvall is bringing a little Hollywood cachet to the Mitt Romney fundraising effort.
Duvall and his wife, Luciana, are to host Romney supporters at their home in rural Virginia in early September, according to an invitation obtained by the National Journal. Ann Romney, the GOP presidential candidate’s wife, is also slated to appear. Tickets range from $2,500 per person to attend a general reception to $25,000 a head for dinner.
It’s not the first time the actor, whose film credits include “To Kill A Mockingbird,” “The Godfather,” The Godfather Part II” and “Apocalypse Now,” has gotten involved with Republican politics. In 2008, Duvall and his wife were the opening act at an Albuquerque rally for Sen. John McCain and his vice presidential pick, Sarah Palin.
The entertainment industry, for the most part, favors Democrats, and this cycle, fundraising appeals and events hosted by marquee stars have been central to President Barack Obama’s money machine.
In coming weeks, that campaign is to host a pair of small-screen-themed fundraisers. Capital New York reported Monday that White House senior advisor Valerie Jarrett will appear next week with Julianna Margulies, star of CBS’ “The Good Wife,” in New York. Also on Monday, the Sunlight Foundation spotted an invitation for an Aug. 15 event in Martha’s Vineyard featuring the cast of HBO’s critically acclaimed “The Wire,” which the president once identified as his favorite television show.
