Ronald Reagan was an American actor who is best known for his roles in Knute Rockne, All American, Santa Fe Trail, and Hellcats of the Navy. He also served as President of the United States from 1981 to 1989.
Personal and Family Life
Ronald Wilson Reagan was born on February 6, 1911, in Tampico, Illinois, to Nelle Clyde and John Edward “Jack” Reagan. He had a total of five children from his two marriages, including Ron Reagan and Patti Davis. He was married to Nancy Reagan from 1952 until his death in 2004, and previously was married to actress Jane Wyman from 1940 to 1949.
Career
Reagan’s career began in the 1930s as a movie actor and evolved into a prominent television and political figure. He served as the president of the Screen Actors Guild and later became the governor of California. His political views shifted over the years, eventually leading him to become a right-wing Republican who endorsed Barry Goldwater in 1964.
Death and Legacy
Reagan passed away on June 5, 2004, in Bel Air, Los Angeles, due to pneumonia complicated by Alzheimer’s disease. He left a significant legacy in both the entertainment industry and American politics, known for his charismatic communication style and iconic quotes, including the famous line to Mikhail Gorbachev: “Tear down this wall!”
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe Trail | 1940-12-20 | George Custer |
| An Inconvenient Truth | 2006-05-24 | Self (archive footage) |
| The Killers | 1964-07-07 | Jack Browning |
| It’s a Great Feeling | 1949-08-01 | Ronald Reagan (uncredited) |
| Dark Victory | 1939-04-20 | Alec |
| Hellcats of the Navy | 1957-05-01 | Cmdr. Casey Abbott |
| Knute Rockne All American | 1940-10-05 | George Gipp |
| General Electric Theater | 1953-02-01 | Self – Host |