Born: February 6, 1911 – Died: June 5, 2004
Ronald Reagan's journey from the silver screen to the Oval Office is a remarkable chapter in American history. Born to Nelle Clyde Wilson and John Edward "Jack" Reagan in Tampico, Illinois, Reagan's father was a salesman with a knack for storytelling, which perhaps foreshadowed Ronald's own future in spinning narratives, both as an actor and a politician.
Early Life and Career
Ronald Reagan's formative years were rooted in the American heartland. Educated at Eureka College, Reagan majored in economics and sociology, which provided a foundation for his diverse future pursuits. He marked his entry into the acting world with his first screen credit in 1937, quickly establishing his presence in the industry.
It was his role in "Kings Row" (1942) that shifted Reagan's trajectory towards stardom, with the film's success solidifying his status in Hollywood. His tenure as president of the Screen Actors Guild during a tumultuous period for the film industrydemonstrated his knack for leadership, foreshadowing his political ascent.
Reagan's accolades in the entertainment sphere were numerous, yet it was his transition to politics that marked his most enduring legacy. His personal life was as dynamic as his career, with marriages to actresses Jane Wyman and Nancy Davis, the latter with whom he shared a storied romance until his death. Reagan's interests extended beyond the screen and the political arena; he was an avid rancher and engaged in charitable work.
In conclusion, Reagan's impact transcended Hollywood, shaping not only the entertainment industry but the very fabric of American politics and culture. His dual legacies as an actor and a statesman render him an enduring icon whose influence was felt on both the national and global stage.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1964–1965 | Death Valley Days (TV Series) | Charles Poston | William Bent | Host ... |
| 1964 | The Killers | Jack Browning |
| 1964 | Kraft Suspense Theatre (TV Series) | Judge Howard R. Stimming |
| 1963 | Heritage of Splendor (Short) | Narrator |
| 1963 | Wagon Train (TV Series) | Capt. Paul Winters |
| 1954–1962 | General Electric Theater (TV Series) | Paul Miller | Frank Foster | Rev. Theodore Carlisle ... |
| 1961 | The Dick Powell Theatre (TV Series) | Rex Kent |
| 1961 | The Young Doctors | Hippocratic oath reader at beginning (uncredited) |
| 1961 | Zane Grey Theatre (TV Series) | Maj. Will Sinclair |
| 1960 | The DuPont Show with June Allyson (TV Series) | Alan Royce |
| 1957 | Hellcats of the Navy | Cmdr. Casey Abbott |
| 1956 | General Electric Summer Originals (TV Series) | Steve Davis |
| 1955 | Tennessee's Partner | Cowpoke |
| 1954 | Cattle Queen of Montana | Farrell |
| 1953–1954 | The Ford Television Theatre (TV Series) | Lieutenant Commander William Masterson | Steve Wentworth | Dr. David Glenn |
| 1954 | Prisoner of War | Webb Sloane |
| 1953–1954 | Schlitz Playhouse (TV Series) | Lt. Paul Random | Steve Davis | Doctor |
| 1953 | The Revlon Mirror Theater (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1953 | Lux Video Theatre (TV Series) | Merle Fisher |
| 1953 | The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (TV Series) | Ronald Reagan |
| 1953 | Medallion Theatre (TV Series) | Jimmy Valentine |
| 1953 | Law and Order | Frame Johnson |
| 1953 | The Other Wise Man (TV Movie) | Narrator |
| 1953 | Tropic Zone | Dan McCloud |
| 1952 | Hollywood Opening Night (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1952 | She's Working Her Way Through College | Professor John Palmer |
| 1952 | The Winning Team | Grover Cleveland Alexander |
| 1952 | Hong Kong | Jeff Williams |
| 1951 | The Big Truth (Short) | Host | Narrator |
| 1951 | The Last Outpost | Capt. Vance Britten |
| 1951 | Bedtime for Bonzo | Prof. Peter Boyd |
| 1950 | Storm Warning | Burt Rainey |
| 1950 | Nash Airflyte Theatre (TV Series) | Tommy Blunt |
| 1950 | Louisa | Hal Norton |
| 1949 | The Hasty Heart | Yank |
| 1949 | It's a Great Feeling | Ronald Reagan (uncredited) |
| 1949 | The Girl from Jones Beach | Bob Randolph - Robert Benerik |
| 1949 | Night Unto Night | John Galen |
| 1949 | John Loves Mary | John Lawrence |
| 1947 | The Voice of the Turtle | Sgt. Bill Page |
| 1947 | That Hagen Girl | Thomas J. (Tom) Bates |
| 1947 | Stallion Road | Larry Hanrahan |
| 1943 | For God and Country (Short) | Father Michael O'Keefe |
| 1943 | This Is the Army | Johnny Jones (as Lt. Ronald Reagan) |
| 1943 | The Rear Gunner (Short) | Lt. Ames |
| 1942 | Beyond the Line of Duty (Short) | Narrator (voice, as Lieutenant Ronald Reagan) |
| 1942 | Desperate Journey | Flying Officer Johnny Hammond |
| 1942 | Juke Girl | Steve Talbot |
| 1942 | Mister Gardenia Jones (Short) | John Jones Jr. (aka Gardenia 'Deany' Jones) |
| 1942 | Kings Row | Drake McHugh |
| 1941 | Nine Lives Are Not Enough | Matt Sawyer |
| 1941 | International Squadron | Jimmy Grant |
| 1941 | Million Dollar Baby | Peter Rowan |
| 1941 | The Bad Man | Gil Jones |
| 1940 | Santa Fe Trail | George Armstrong Custer |
| 1940 | Tugboat Annie Sails Again | Eddie Kent |
| 1940 | Knute Rockne All American | George Gipp |
| 1940 | Murder in the Air | Brass Bancroft |
| 1940 | An Angel from Texas | Marty Allen |
| 1940 | Alice in Movieland (Short) | Carlo's Guest (uncredited) |
| 1940 | Brother Rat and a Baby | Dan Crawford |
| 1939 | Smashing the Money Ring | Lt. Brass Bancroft |
| 1939 | Angels Wash Their Faces | Pat Remson |
| 1939 | Hell's Kitchen | Jim Donahue |
| 1939 | Naughty But Nice | Ed Clark |
| 1939 | Code of the Secret Service | Lt. 'Brass' Bancroft |
| 1939 | Dark Victory | Alec |
| 1939 | Secret Service of the Air | Lt. 'Brass' Bancroft |
| 1938 | Going Places | Jack Withering |
| 1938 | Brother Rat | Dan Crawford |
| 1938 | Girls on Probation | Neil Dillon |
| 1938 | Boy Meets Girl | Announcer |
| 1938 | The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse | Radio Announcer (voice, uncredited) |
| 1938 | Cowboy from Brooklyn | Pat Dunn |
| 1938 | Little Miss Thoroughbred | Racetrack Announcer (voice, uncredited) |
| 1938 | Accidents Will Happen | Eric Gregg |
| 1938 | Swing Your Lady | Jack Miller |
| 1938 | Sergeant Murphy | Private Dennis Reilley |
| 1937 | Hollywood Hotel | Radio Host at Premiere (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Love Is on the Air | Andy McCaine |
| 1937 | They Won't Forget | Crowd Member at Governor's Mansion (uncredited) |