The office of the Mayor of New York City, a position of immense political power and unrelenting public scrutiny, has consistently attracted individuals with personalities as large and dynamic as the city itself. Beyond the hallowed halls of government, a striking number of these powerful political figures have transitioned into the entertainment industry. The appearances range from documentary profiles to surprisingly self-aware cameos, showcasing a willingness to engage directly with the culture they govern.

The world of comedy and dramatic crime television both welcomed different mayors at different points in time. Here are some of them who graced the screens.

  Rudolph Giuliani, whose tenure spanned the turn of the millennium, became one of the most visible municipal leaders in American popular culture, frequently appearing as himself in television shows and films. His most iconic, and perhaps most lighthearted, media appearance was the cameo in the Seinfeld episode The Non-Fat Yogurt (1993), which can be streamed on Netflix.  

His later dramatic work included a more serious appearance in the long-running crime drama Law & Order in the episode titled Endurance (2000), which is available to watch on Hulu and Peacock. A documentary, Giuliani Time (2005), delves into a critical examination of his mayoralty and its lasting impact on the city and can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. These varied appearances highlight an individual comfortable with both self-deprecating humor and intense scrutiny, establishing a clear precedent for political figures to leverage media for public recognition.

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The support for New York’s creative industries was a notable thread during this mayor’s time in office.

Michael Bloomberg, one of the wealthiest mayors in the city’s history, was known to underscore his support for the film and television industry through direct involvement. He followed in the footsteps of his predecessor with a notable, albeit brief, media foray. His cameo as himself in the series The Good Wife (Season 4, final episode, 2013), an acclaimed legal and political drama, provided a realistic touch to the show's New York setting. This series can be streamed on Paramount+ and Amazon Prime Video.

Furthermore, he made a separate appearance as himself in the film version of Sex and the City: The Movie (2008), which can be watched on Prime Video, Fandango at Home, or Apple TV on your Roku device. This strategic engagement with the creative economy demonstrated a clever understanding of the city's unique cultural cachet.

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From cameo appearances to becoming a subject of news coverage, this mayor was rarely out of the public eye.

Just like Michael Bloomberg, Bill de Blasio also appeared as himself in a humorous scene in The Good Wife (2014, CBS), which is accessible on Paramount+ and Amazon Prime Video as mentioned above. He also secured a recurring guest appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a late-night talk show that frequently addresses political matters, which can be viewed on Paramount+ and Apple TV.

Furthermore, his political and personal life were featured briefly in the documentary Totally Under Control (2020), a film that examined the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video. His media record also includes numerous appearances on major news networks such as CNN and PBS, where he spoke on various issues concerning New York City governance and the pandemic response.

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The media profile of this mayor was expansive, extending far beyond the typical brief on-screen appearance.

Ed Koch’s time in public service became the subject of a full-length documentary, Koch (2012), which chronicles his life and mayoralty and can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video. Beyond this, he appeared in multiple television programs and series, such as TV Shows: Sex and the City (available on Netflix), Spin City (available on Apple TV), and Double Rush, demonstrating a comprehensive engagement with the world of television. He also hosted a popular web series, Hosted Mayor at the Movies, a show dedicated to movie reviews and commentary.

One of the earliest examples of a mayor successfully transitioning into an entertainment persona is found in this former city executive.

John Lindsay’s historical relevance is captured in archival footage used in the classic horror film Rosemary's Baby (1968), a movie one can stream on Paramount+ or MGM+. Post-mayoralty, Lindsay fully pursued an acting and media career, notably guest-hosting The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson on multiple occasions, a significant feat for a political figure. He also had frequent guest appearances on The Dick Cavett Show during the late 1960s. He was the central subject, featuring archival and interview footage in the documentary Fun City Revisited: The Lindsay Years (1999).

The next contemporary political figure represents a new wave of media engagement for city leaders.

Zohran Mamdani participated in numerous video profiles, one example being that he has been a guest on programs such as NPR's Morning Edition and PIX on Politics. Mamdani has also been a guest on various interviews on MSNBC and podcasts like The Majority Report, utilizing these platforms to discuss pressing social and political movements.

These mayors’ media footprint suggests a conscious effort to shape their public narrative through platforms that resonate with a politically engaged and diverse modern audience of good movies and series.

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Are you thinking of watching these documentaries, talk shows, movies, and all the cameos the mayors of New York City have done? Let us know in the comments below.