Biggest celebrity political donors in the midterms? Think snarky animated comedies

WASHINGTON – Aren't we all tired of the usual election stories?

For some relief shortly before the big day, let's dig through the millions of pages of campaign finance reports and find out which celebrities put out the biggest bucks this election cycle.

Among the winners are two people tied to the zany world of animated TV comedy.

Seth McFarlane, who created "Family Guy," gave a total of about $2.15 million, $2 million of which went to the Senate Majority PAC. That committee supports Democratic candidates trying to win control of the Senate.

McFarlane gave $67,800 each to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which does the same thing, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. The DCCC backs Democrats in House races.

Yeardley Smith, who provides the voice for Lisa Simpson of "The Simpsons," gave $252,531 – $250,000 of that going to the Human Rights Campaign Equality Votes Super PAC. This committee, affiliated with the pro-LGBTQ Human Rights Campaign, pays for advertising and other services supporting Democratic candidates or opposing Republican ones.

Among the other big celebrity givers:

• Actress Kate Capshaw gave $334,800, all to Democratic groups or candidates.
• Singer Barbra Streisand gave $158,450 to Democratic candidates and committees.
• Actress Jane Fonda gave $41,787 to Democratic candidates and committees.
• Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of the smash Broadway hit "Hamilton," gave $30,000 to the Latino Victory Fund.
• Peyton Manning, former NFL quarterback, gave $5,400 to Republican House candidate Anthony Gonzalez

One of the largest recipients of celebrity donations was Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., who is in a tight re-election campaign against Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley.

Among her donors are Streisand, Capshaw, Jack Black, Meryl Streep and Don Cheadle.

All told, people who identified themselves as actors or actresses gave more than $6.6 million during the election cycle.

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