Ronald Reagan Biography
Fast Facts
Born in Tampico, Illinois
Attended Eureka College in Illinois (1932)
Worked as a radio sportscaster for several stations.
Having been discovered by a Hollywood agent, he signed with Warner Brothers. His first performance was in "Love is in the Air" in 1937.
His best roles: Brother Rat (1938), Dark Victory (1939) and Kings Row (1941).
1966- Elected governor of California
1981-9-Served as President of the United States of America.
Ronald Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime
He hammered out a deal with Gorbachev that effectively reduced the stockpiles of nuclear arms in both the U.S.A. and Russia.
A&E's Ronald Reagan Biography
Ronald Reagan
Biography
R.
Reagan
Ronald Reagan was the 40th President of the United States of America and the one who was credited with restoring the hope and rejuvenating the optimism of the nation. When he first took office he was able to deliver good news to the people...the homecoming of hostages that had been held in Iran for more than a year. He stimulated the economy by slashing taxes and cutting domestic spending...he took an adversarial approach to the U.S.S.R... and other Communist countries and increased military spending significantly, successfully outspending the Communist regime.
Later in his presidency he softened in his approach to the U.S.S.R. as Gorbachev was now leader and was one he could appreciate and respect. The two leaders met 4 times between 1985 and 1988 and they worked out a deal that sharply reduced nuclear arms.
Before becoming such an influential world leader he enjoyed a completely different career...acting. He appeared in a total of 52 films, the most memorable being Brother Rat, Dark Victory and King's Row. He also served as President of the Actors Screen Guild and while doing so became embroiled in conflicts concerning Communist political beliefs in the film industry...he shifted his own political leaning from liberal to much more conservative. He toured the country advocating conservative viewpoints as a television show host.
In 1966 he successfully achieved his goal of becoming California's governor and he was re-elected in 1970. In 1980 he won the Republican nomination for President and chose for his running mate United Nations Ambassador George Bush.
In office (1981-89) he fulfilled some of his campaign promises (lower taxes and more government regulation) yet there were disappointing problems...a snowballing national deficit, a shaky financial infrastructure, and an increasing concentration of wealth in the hands of the few. With little interest in or command of the details of government, he engaged Americans with his amiable manner and laissez-faire approach to the country's problems. Meanwhile, members of his administration, with at least his inferred approval, undertook secret and illegal arms-for-hostages deals with Iran, an enemy of the USA. When he departed office, he was as popular as ever with the masses, leaving the future to determine the true worth of his legacy.
The History Channel Presidents Card Game Set contains three illustrated 60-card
decks, which feature the outstanding accomplishments and brief biographical
history of each President of the United States.
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Ronald Reagan: A Legacy Remembered DVD
Interviews with
administration insiders, foreign dignitaries and Nancy make this the
ultimate portrait of the man and his legacy.
Reagan, Ronald: The Man They Knew VHS set
Nancy Reagan: President's Leading Lady
The Reagan Biography: Roger Mudd Interviews Edmund Morris
Ronald Reagan and the Rise of the Right