Vanity Fair links Bill Clinton to actress Gina Gershon

Bill Clinton and Gina Gershon?

A relationship between the former president and the "Bound" actress has been a Hollywood whisper for years. Now Vanity Fair has published a much-discussed story titled "The Comeback Id" that references their relationship. And it has some people wondering what -- if anything -- this story could do to his wife Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.

Why is Gina Gershon a person of note? She may be most famous for kissing Elizabeth Berkley in "Showgirls," and if you missed that bit of cinematic history, watch the video below. See also Gina's personal website here.

According to Vanity Fair writer Todd Purdum, who is married to Clinton's former White House press secretary, Dee Dee Myers, Gershon is one of several women -- but so far, the only actress -- who Clinton has been rumored to be seeing socially.

Purdum writes: "But four former Clinton aides told me that, about 18 months ago, one of the president’s former assistants, who still advises him on political matters, had heard so many complaints about such reports from Clinton supporters around the country that he felt compelled to try to conduct what one of these aides called an 'intervention,' because, the aide believed, 'Clinton was apparently seeing a lot of women on the road.' The would-be intercessor was rebuffed by people around Clinton before ever getting an audience with the former president, and another aide told me that the effort was not well received by either Bill or Hillary Clinton and that some Hillarylanders, in particular, were in denial about the continuing political risks that Bill’s behavior might pose."

Bill Clinton has responded to the piece by calling the former New York Times L.A. bureau chief "sleazy," "dishonest" and a "scumbag." Click here to hear the former president talk about the piece on Huffington Post. In the clip, he tells supporters that the article is an attempt to boost Barack Obama and discredit his wife. His camp has also sent out a memo detailing the article's errors and calling it "journalism of personal destruction at its worst."

Purdum's piece also contains revelations about Clinton's relationship with Hollywood producer Steve Bing and Clinton's friendship with entrepreneur Ron Burkle. His business relationship with billionaire Burkle, says Purdum, is Clinton's largest source of income after books and speeches, about $15 million.

Burkle, if you recall, played host to that historic star-studded Hollywood pre-Oscar party for Giorgio Armani in 2007. Guests included George Clooney, Helen Mirren, Katie Holmes and Cate Blanchett. 

For the full story on who hung out at Burkle's Green Acres estate in 2007, click here.

Top photo: Bono, former President Bill Clinton and Gina Gershon at the MusiCares Person of the Year event in 2003. (WireImage)
Bottom photo: Gina Gershon (WireImage)

Comments

[Shirley]

What the media fails to grasp is that stories like this is what we are most sick of seeing. Even if this jerk has proof, WE DON'T CARE. It's no more than gossip. No wonder Obama followers are so hateful and rude, look at the example they are given!

[NewsJunkie]

gina is also known for a lesbian scene with the actress that i can't think of her name, but with a breathy voice, and she stopped acting, but her sister followed, and did the same breathy voice.

Ron Burkle hosted a star studded fundraiser, also at green acres in the 80's. Tom Hanks was the host.

[Sharon]

Seems like he would rather be with other women than his wife..

[nygirl]

this is so disgusting. it's not enough to steal the election from hillary but now she and bill clinton has to be demonized. It will give me great pleasure to vote for McCain.

[malach hamovess]

dear mr ex-president:

Way to go!!

[Jeff Saeli]

Generally, a person's sex life is his or her business. However, Clinton lied about Monica and Hillary went into denial. Since she knows what he is up to, Bill could be a problem to Hillary as President or VP since she would probably have to participate in a cover up over Bill's affairs. That's just what Obama needs in his administration if Hillary is his VP - a loose cannon with ties to the White House under his feet. Bill and Hillary are too sleezy for them to be close to the White House. They have no integrity and no honor. If Bill wants to chase women, he should stay away from national politics. Then he would only hurt Hillary and Chelsea, and not involve the rest of us.

[Della Faye]

Just because a male has lots of female friends does not mean that he is "sleeping" with them. I have learned over the years that Leo men are very charismatic and a lot of women enjoy their conversation, fun, and wit.

Lastly, JUDGE not, CONDEMN not, and don't spread UNTRUE stories.

A Leo Woman
Married to a Leo Man

[Shinons]

I trust Bill Clinton is telling the truth. He would never lie about something like this! The man is loyalty personified. The model husband. The picture of devotion. Etc. Etc.

[David]

She looks an awful lot like Paula Jones. Is there another actress who resembles Gennifer Flowers?

[Gerald Shields]

To be honest, Who cares? It's not like it matters anymore. Obama looks like he's going to clinch the nomination so whether the allegations are true or not is mute & moot.

[Gaias Child]

Good Lord, what cruel timing to come out with this now. It could have happened nine months ago or nine months later but now? What's the motive for that? Thoughtful readers want to know.

[Charles]

As much of a rumored history that Slick Willy has for being popular with the ladies, the timing of this particular story has political-hit-job written all over it. Don't believe everything that you're told, and don't let the little pop-culture stories distract you from the real political issues.

[JF]

Gee, another Bill Clinton infidelity story. What a shocker. My question is, what are these women thinking?

[nitz]

Better than Lewinski! Way to go dude!

[Wayne]

As much as I am an Obama supporter, I think the story in Vanity Fair was just gossip that should not enter the nomination process. What made it a story with legs was Bill Clinton's response to it.

[jon]

Go Bill!!!!

[Ryan]

Um, Gina I always understood that Gina Gershon is a lesbian. Seems to me this a giant hatchet job on the Clintons that eerily came out just as the last primaries states vote. Journalism is dead.

[yournamehere]

I would pay you to link me with Gina Gershon.

[Nick]

Who's tired of 'guilt by association' accusations, raise your hand!

[rpbird]

Whether it is true or not may not matter. Perception plays as big a role in politics and life as reality. This latest gossip feeds into an existing trope on the Clintons, reinforcing existing beliefs, making it even less likely she will play a major role in Obama's campaign.

[Chris]

This is "a personal hit job" by Dee Dee Myers husband? Doesn't that seem hard to believe, Clinton supporters? and all you ladies vowing to vote for McCain- that will turn out great when he replaces the last liberals on the Supreme Court with conservatives who can finally overturn Roe v. Wade. And set back womens rights 50 years. Well done, ladies!

[Bill rocks]

Righty commentators are loving this: http://www.greenfaucet.com/hanlons-pub/the-title-alone-is-worth-the-read

bastards!

[Hotbrown]

This is what the general election and the country would have been like had Hillary won. Note how the Obama team never came at the Clintons on their [impeachable] values.

[AT]

How is this news? I'm an Obama supporter, but I feel this story and more importantly, it's timing, is in bad taste.

[TheNick]

nygirl:

yeah, there you go. vote for mccain b/c you didn't like the media coverage clinton got. way to waste your vote on spite. and why would you defend the clintons anyway? you must like the idea of aristocratic/oligarchic rule.