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Here are the famous people who were at the convention and in Chicago this week

CHICAGO — Politicians and celebrities are flocking to Chicago for the Democratic National Convention – alongside thousands of organizers, participants and protesters.

Those big names include DNC moderators Tony Goldwyn, Ana Navarro, Mindy Kaling and Kerry Washington, who, according to a CNN exclusive, will host the convention each night to support presidential candidate Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Their roles will be similar to that of an awards show host, according to CNN.

All four have long-standing Democratic Party supporters. We'll update our list as we see more celebrities at the convention and in town.

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Here's more about the evening's hosts and other celebrities appearing at the DNC:

The stage is set for the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Monday, August 19, 2024, at the United Center. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

Monday

Tony Goldwynwho played President Fitzgerald Grant in Shonda Rhimes' hit ABC series “Scandal,” hosted the opening night of the convention on Monday.

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While the actor and director has played political roles in films and shows since the '90s, Goldwyn's politics extend beyond the screen. According to a 2017 interview with “Scandal” producer Betsy Beers, he supported Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid and spoke about criminal justice at the Democratic National Convention.

Singer-songwriter James Taylor was heard on the DNC stage during the soundcheck of “You've Got A Friend” on Monday afternoon, before his debut performance – which was shortened due to time constraints. Jason Isbell And Mickey Guyton also appeared.

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Tuesday

Ana Navarroa Nicaraguan-American political strategist and commentator, will moderate Tuesday night. Although Navarro has said she is a Republican, she has long criticized Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump and frequently supports Democratic politicians.

Although it is still unclear whether he will take the stage at the United Center, John Legend is scheduled to play at a party hosted by Governor JB Pritzker and First Lady MK Pritzker at the Salt Shed on Tuesday night.

Wednesday

Comedian, screenwriter and producer of “The Office” and “Mindy Project” Mindy Kaling will host the programs on Wednesday evening. The DNC moderator was friends with Harris when she was still a senator and cooked a South Indian dish called Masala Dosa together in 2019. In the video, the two talked about their Indian heritage.

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Also on Wednesday: Actors Julia Louis-Dreyfusa former Chicagoan and Northwestern University graduate who played the first female vice president in her Emmy-winning HBO series “VEEP,” will moderate a panel of several female governors, including Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Kathy Hochul of New York and Katie Hobbs of Arizona.

Louis-Dreyfus is a longtime Democratic supporter who has spoken publicly on environmental issues. She also hosted the closing night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, which nominated President Joe Biden.

Thursday

actress Kerry Washingtonwho starred in “Scandal” as political communications expert and Goldwyn's lover Olivia Pope, will host the closing night of the convention. The politically active Washington attended the DNC in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2012 and the DNC in Milwaukee in 2020, where she opened the third night of the convention.

Washington, an Emmy Award winner, has endorsed candidates including former President Barack Obama and is founder of Influence Change, an organization that works with nonprofits to promote civic engagement.

Celebrities off the stage

Sean Astinknown for his roles in “The Goonies,” “Rudy” and most recently “Stranger Things,” is on a tour of the Midwest to drum up support for Harris. He was at the DNC in Chicago on Monday. Mark Hamillbest known for his role as Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy, was also spotted at the convention on Monday.

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