Donald Trump’s ‘showbiz’ convention might not happen, but at least Stephen Baldwin will be there

For months now, Donald Trump has been promising that the Republican National Convention, which begins Monday in Cleveland, would be “showbiz” and less “boring” politics.

He told the Washington Post that Mitt Romney’s convention four years ago was “the single most boring convention I’ve ever seen. It’s very important to put some showbiz into a convention, otherwise people are going to fall asleep.”

The speakers lineup for the convention was announced Thursday. It is heavy on political, religious and business figures but lacking the one thing Trump said he wanted: showbiz.

Did Trump hit the snooze button? Or is he planning surprise guests?

A couple of figures from the sports world appear on the list: Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White and Natalie Gulbis, a once-prominent pro golfer.

But star-wattage Friends of Donald — New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, former Indiana University basketball coach Bob Knight and boxing promoter Don King — are missing from the list.

Trump had said that Knight would attend.

The only speakers from Hollywood on the list are soap opera stars Kimberlin Brown and Antonio Sabàto Jr.

There is a Kevin McCarthy on the list, but he’s a congressman from California, not the actor.

Republican supernova Clint Eastwood is MIA, too. Four years ago he infamously addressed an empty chair on the convention stage.

Tim Tebow had been rumored to be a speaker on closing night. But he stopped those whispers dead in their tracks in an Instagram video on Thursday afternoon.

“It’s amazing how fast rumors fly,” Tebow said. “And that’s exactly what it is: A rumor.”

CBS News points out that despite the dearth of star power at Trump’s convention, there was a time when A-list celebs were more willing to publicly support Republican politicians. At the 1976 Republican National Convention in Kansas City, for instance, Cary Grant introduced first lady Betty Ford.

“I can assure you of her sincere love for all people, and her hope to further the cause of women’s rights,” the legendary leading man said. “Women have always been one of my favorite causes, too.”

Trump seemed to hint he had shelved his “showbiz” plans in deference to the Republican Party.

“Look, I have great respect for the institution of the conventions. I mean to me, it’s very important,” he said recently on Fox. “So we’re not going to change the wheel.”

He certainly has access to Hollywood through his NBC reality show “Celebrity Apprentice,” which has starred a pantheon of stars, including Meat Loaf, Cyndi Lauper, George Takei, Laila Ali, Khloe Kardashian, Dionne Warwick and La Toya Jackson.

But earlier this week Fox News’ entertainment division, Fox411, reached out to a slew of celebrities and concluded that “so far Trump’s Hollywood star-pulling power doesn’t seem to be all that huge.”

Only one Hollywood actor, Stephen Baldwin, confirmed that he will be in Cleveland to show his support for Trump.

FOX411 hit up representatives for Hollywood’s well-known, Republican-leaning celebrities, including Tim Allen, Vince Vaughn, Dean Cain and Jon Voight. None plans to attend.

Trump supporter Willie Robertson, star of “Duck Dynasty,” hadn’t bought a plane ticket, either.

A long list of self-described Trump fans didn’t return Fox’s calls, including Chuck Norris, Scott Baio, Donnie Wahlberg, Charlie Sheen and Gary Busey.

Famously Republican Ted Nugent didn’t respond either, but the Washington Post had reported earlier that despite numerous invitations to appear at the convention Nugent declined because of his touring schedule.

A spokeswoman for Lee Greenwood, who has performed his patriotic hit “God Bless the USA” at several GOP conventions, wouldn’t tell the Post whether Greenwood would be in Cleveland.

The Chicago Tribune reported that Caitlyn Jenner plans to be in Cleveland next week, and musical acts Kid Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rascal Flatts and Big & Rich are scheduled to play.

“Republicans have always had a terrible star-power deficit — the Democrats have the latest hip-hop or pop act, and we’ve got Lee Greenwood and the Oak Ridge Boys — but now it’s going to be even more pronounced,” Rick Wilson, a Republican strategist who is not supporting Trump, told the Post.

The Democrats always draw more A-list celebs. Consider the 2012 conventions.

Eva Longoria, Scarlett Johansson, Kerry Washington, Mary J. Blige, the Foo Fighters and other big names spoke or performed at the DNC. Ashley Judd attended as a Tennessee delegate. America Ferrera and Rosario Dawson talked to delegates on the convention floor. Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas led the “Pledge of Allegiance” one night.

At the Republican Convention Kid Rock performed and Eastwood spoke to the empty chair.

“I don’t think we’re going to redo the Clint Eastwood episode,” Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus told The Hollywood Reporter last month.

The Chicago Tribune reports that Lady Gaga, Snoop Dogg, Fergie, Lenny Kravitz, Idina Menzel and Bryan Cranston are among the stars planning to attend the Democratic Convention in Philadelphia later this month.

Snoop Dogg will host a “unity party” on July 28, the last night of the convention.

No word on whether passionate Bernie Sanders supporter Susan Sarandon will be there.

This story was originally published July 15, 2016 at 10:02 AM with the headline "Donald Trump’s ‘showbiz’ convention might not happen, but at least Stephen Baldwin will be there."