Involvement in public affairs is a legitimate use of celebrity
I saw and I met a lot of people who were in the field. It also provided a context in which I came to respect what the actor did, because I saw how difficult it actually was to do.
But why should I run for office and lose what little influence I have?
It's not like I'm the most famous person in the world
I kind of have a dilettantish spirit about me
Anyone who devotes time and attention to what makes people tick, to me, is a smart person.