This coming fall, actor Dennis Quaid is set to take on the monumental role of portraying the late President Ronald Reagan in a brand-new biopic. In a recent, heartfelt interview with Fox News, the 64-year-old Hollywood star revealed just how nervous he is about stepping into such iconic shoes.
“I’ve got to be honest with you, I’m really, really nervous,” Dennis shared candidly. “When the offer for this role came across my desk about four months ago, I couldn’t give them an answer right away. I had a shiver of fear run up my spine. I don’t think I physically resemble Ronald Reagan. But, here’s the thing — that shiver of fear is usually a sign to me that I should do something because it pushes me out of my comfort zone and challenges me as an actor.”
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Why Dennis Decided to Accept the Role
Dennis confessed that after much deliberation, he decided to accept the role because the movie is not political in nature, and he's genuinely fascinated by the life story of the former President. “Reagan was a Democrat who eventually became a Republican. And that’s what I find so intriguing about this role. It’s not about politics; it’s simply the story of the man who was Ronald Reagan,” he explained. “And we do share a few traits. Reagan had this optimistic, sunny disposition, a way of looking at life that was always positive. We’re both actors, and he had an incredible life story — a story that I think many people don’t fully understand. They think they know the man, but they really don’t.”
Getting Into Character: Visiting the Reagan Ranch
To fully immerse himself into the character, Dennis visited Ronald Reagan’s family vacation home, also known as the Reagan ranch. “When you drive up there, the place is surprisingly small and humble. It’s not this grand estate that you might imagine,” he said. “They left everything exactly as it was when Reagan was there for the last time. His clothes, along with his wife Nancy Reagan’s, are still hanging in their closets. It feels like they could walk back in at any moment. Even the appliances in the house date back to 1974. It’s all so authentic and untouched.”
