Dashing Aussie actor Simon Baker is about to go public with his biggest plans for 2009 - he's hoping to become an American citizen.

The star of hit new U.S. drama The Mentalist tells this weekend's Parade magazine that he and his wife were spurred on to become U.S. citizens after Barack Obama's historic election win in November.

He tells the publication, "The morning after... I said to my wife Rebecca, 'You know, I'm thinking about becoming an American,' and then she said that she felt the same way. I don't follow sports here, but politics has sort of taken its place. I followed the race closely. It's a tricky area, because I don't want to be offensive, and I had no party loyalty. But electing Obama was this country being very grown-up. It was such a positive step for the U.S. to become a part of the world again after the last eight years."

"Our two sons were born here, so they're already Americans, but myself, Rebecca, and our daughter Stella are still Australians."





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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)