TVSquad

Unlike his three older brothers who all died suddenly – and tragically – the late Massachusetts senator Edward M. Kennedy knew that his final days were upon him. In the time he had left, Teddy, as he was known by friends and family, took the time to enjoy his life. That included still getting out on his boat to sail despite being wheelchair bound, as well as viewing all the James Bond movies, as well as 24 action hero Jack Bauer.

What's really fascinating about the latter two facts is that Kennedy was clearly entertained by both Bond and Bauer, men of action who didn't – and don't follow the rules. Bond, for instance, is in the service of her majesty's secret service, but he's a spy with a license to kill.

Would America be ready for an African-American president, which is now a 50-50 proposition with Senator Barack Obama the presumptive Democratic candidate, if actor Dennis Haysbert hadn't done it first on 24?

A lot of people have wondered if Haysbert's brave, commanding President David Palmer influenced the way people are thinking about Obama. Dennis Haysbert has now weighed in, and he believes that his role on 24 made a difference.

"My portrayal of David Palmer may have helped open the eyes of the American people," he told the AP.

"I mean the American people across the board - from the poorest to the richest, every color and creed, every religious base - to prove the possibility there could be an African-American president, a female president, any type of president that puts the people first," he goes on to say.