Ronald Reagan, who led the USA from 1981 to 1989, is unusual among US presidents in that he became famous in a different field before entering politics. His career as a screen actor spanned three decades and during this time he appeared in 50 films.
He was not exactly an A-lister. His best-known film is Bedtime for Bonzo in which his co-star was a chimpanzee. But he was a nationally-known figure. His fame was enhanced by his 5-year spell from 1947 to 1952 as President of the Screen Actors Guild. Reagan’s appointment in 1954 as host of a weekly television show sponsored by General Electric led to his travelling round the country as PR representative of the company. Relaxed and affable, his talent for engaging with the public led him to seek a career in politics in the 1960s.
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