Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) was the 40th U.S. president from 1981 to 1989. Before politics, he was a Hollywood actor and later the governor of California (1967-1975). As president, he introduced Reaganomics, which focused on cutting taxes, reducing government rules, and lowering spending to boost the economy.

Entertainment career of Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan had a successful entertainment career before entering politics. Here are the keys:

Hollywood Actor (1937-1964)

Reagan started his acting career in 1937 after signing a contract with Warner Bros.
He appeared in over 50 films, mostly in the 1930s and 1940s.

Television & Hosting (1950s-1960s)

In the 1950s, Reagan transitioned to television.
He hosted “General Electric Theater” (1954-1962), a popular anthology series.
Later, he also hosted “Death Valley Days” (1964-1965).

Screen Actors Guild (SAG) President (1947-1952, 1959-1960)

Reagan was elected President of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), representing Hollywood actors.
He played a key role in negotiating contracts and fighting against communist influence in the film industry.

If you want to refer to the list of U.S. presidents, you may refer to our blog: List of presidents of the United States.

Early Political Activities of Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan’s early political activities started in the 1940s and 1950s, long before he became the 40th President of the United States. Here are some key points:

Reagan was President of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) from 1947 to 1952 and again in 1959.
Reagan was first a Democrat and supported Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal.
In 1962, he officially became a Republican.
His 1964 speech, “A Time for Choosing,” in support of Barry Goldwater, made him a national political figure.

Military service of Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan worked in military service in the U.S. Army forces (USAAF) during World War II, but he did not fight in battle because of his poor eyesight. Here are some of the keys of military service of Ronald Reagen:

Enlistment and Early Service (1937-1942)

Reagan enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1937 as a second lieutenant in the Cavalry
In 1942, after the U.S. entered World War II, he was called to active duty.

Military Film Unit (1942-1945)

He also helped create classified military training films.
Due to his nearsightedness, Reagan was not sent into combat.

Screen Actors Guild presidency of Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan was President of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) from 1947 to 1952 and again from 1959 to 1960. While he was president, he handled big problems in Hollywood, like worker strikes and fears about communism.

Fighting for Actors’ Rights

Reagan helped actors get better contracts and fair pay.
He worked to secure residual payments for actors when their movies were shown on TV.

Anti-Communism in Hollywood

In the late 1940s, people feared that communists were influencing Hollywood.
Reagan cooperated with the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) and provided names of suspected communists.
He opposed communist influence but also defended actors’ rights.

Dealing with Strikes and Studio Disputes

Reagan led SAG during tough labor strikes between actors and movie studios.
He negotiated deals to protect actors’ wages and working conditions.

Ronald Reagan’s Legacy

Ronald Reagan had a busy and important career as an actor, union leader, and politician. He started as a Hollywood actor, became President of the Screen Actors Guild, then Governor of California, and later the 40th President of the United States.