Dennis Quaid Steps Into the Shoes of a Legend: Bringing Ronald Reagan to Life in “Reagan”

In the ever evolving realm of Hollywood, few actors can claim the versatility and depth that Dennis Quaid brings to his roles. From portraying the astronaut Gordon Cooper in “The Right Stuff” to embodying the wild spirit of Rock and Roll icon Jerry Lee Lewis in “Great Balls of Fire,” Quaid has consistently delivered performances that resonate. But now, in the new biopic “Reagan,” Quaid takes on what he describes as his most challenging and beloved role to date—the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan.

“It’s become my favorite role I have ever had actually,” Quaid shared in an exclusive interview with CBN News. “Reagan was a hero of mine. I voted for him twice, and he was like everybody’s dad. He was a real heavyweight, and he won the Cold War. It really meant a lot to me in my life, for all of us of that generation, and for the generations today. And playing him was the challenge of my life.”

For Quaid, stepping into Reagan’s shoes was not merely an exercise in mimicry. The actor was determined to capture the essence of the man, beyond the political icon many remember. “The biggest challenge of playing Reagan was getting down to him as a person, not the hero that he was to me and so many people,” Quaid explained. “And that’s kind of warts and all because that’s who we are.”

The journey to uncover Reagan’s true nature was no small feat. “There was a place in Reagan, in talking to people who really knew him and were close to him, that was very private, that was impenetrable. This is the great communicator we’re talking about. That’s what makes people tick down at their core. And that was where I wanted to get to,” Quaid revealed. “Like I said, I didn’t want to do an impersonation, and fear went up my spine because Reagan was like Muhammad Ali.”

Interestingly, Quaid found parallels between Reagan’s life and his own. “We were similar in many ways. I didn’t see myself as Reagan. I didn’t think I looked like him and sounded like him. But we both have positive dispositions, I think, down at the bottom of things. And he was an actor,” he noted. This personal connection helped Quaid navigate the complexities of the role, particularly when it came to mastering Reagan’s distinctive voice. “They offered me the part in 2018, and we didn’t start shooting until COVID in 2020. Great time to make a movie,” Quaid quipped. “I basically talked like that for a year to my family. They had to put up with it I guess.”

Beyond the surface, “Reagan” delves into aspects of the former president’s life that many may not know, particularly his deep and abiding faith. “It was such a huge part of his life. It was an everyday part of his life, starting from as a young boy,” Quaid said. “He even made the decision on his own to be baptized at that time. His mother was his rock. That’s another way that we’re very similar.”

The film also explores the profound love story between Ronald and Nancy Reagan, a relationship that Quaid believes was central to Reagan’s success. “He wrote her love letters every day, a little note or whatever, even when he was in the hospital after the assassination attempt actually. And I don’t think there would’ve been a President Reagan if it wasn’t for Nancy.”

However, bringing this story to the screen was not without its challenges. Quaid admitted that the process was fraught with tension, particularly regarding the timing of the film’s release. “The only thing that I really insisted upon is that it not come out during an election year. I didn’t want this to be perceived politically, and it’s not a political movie at all,” he emphasized. But as Quaid reflects on the current era, he can’t help but draw parallels between Reagan’s time and today. “The times we’re living in, especially ’78, ’79, ’80 are so similar to ’21, ’22, ’23, and ’24 actually. And so, I have to say, well, what do I know?”

With “Reagan” now showing in theaters nationwide, audiences have the opportunity to witness Quaid’s transformative performance. This film not only offers a glimpse into the life of a beloved president but also showcases Quaid’s dedication to bringing this complex character to life, solidifying his place as one of Hollywood’s most compelling actors.