A contentious figure during his time in American politics, movies, and TV shows have rushed to portrayRonald Reaganfor years. The former president himself was active in the media, acting in Hollywood films and TV shows for over 30 years. For this reason, the public was surprised when he was initially running for office, as the public figure was considered by many to be much more of an actor than he was a politician. Nonetheless,Reagan went on to serve two terms in officeand become a highly prominent conservative political figure.
While Reagan has been portrayed throughout the decades, the most recent portrayal of the former president is in the biopicReagan.Reaganwas released to theaters this past weekend on August 30, and has thus far brought in $9.2 million at the box office.Reagan’s reviewsaren’t good thus far, garnering just an 18% score among the 44 critics who have reviewed it thus far. AsReagancontinues on in theaters, it is interesting to look back at the history of the various portrayals of Reagan over time.
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8Richard Crenna
The Day Reagan Was Shot (2001)
One of the most significant parts of Reagan’s political career was the assassination attempt on his life. This incident occurred on July 28, 2025, whenJohn Hinckley Jr. shot at the president as he was entering a limousine. The assassination attempt left Reagan critically injured, breaking a rib and puncturing a lung. Reagan’s survival from the assassination attempt made him more of a hero in many people’s eyes.
The events leading up to Hinckley’s attempt at the president’s life are chronicled in the made-for-TV movieThe Day Reagan Was Shot. The film was directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh and produced by Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone. In the feature film, President Reagan is portrayed by Richard Crenna.The Day Reagan Was Shotwas one of Crenna’s last roles, as the actor passed away two years later, in 2003. Crenna was also known for his role as Trautman in theFirst Bloodseries, as well as parts in films such asWait Until DarkandHot Shots! Part Deux.
7James Brolin
The Reagans (2003)
AfterThe Day Reagan Was Shot, the early 2000s saw another TV movie portrayal of Reagan’s life withThe Reagansin 2003. Unlike its predecessor,The Reagansdid not focus on the assassination attempt, but insteadhoned in on the relationship between Nancy and Ronald Reagan over the course of their marriage and political careers. James Brolin stepped in as Reagan for this version, with Judy Davis playing opposite him as Nancy Reagan.
Prior to his work onThe Reagans, Brolin had made a name for himself in the television industry. He won an Emmy in 1970 for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Drama for playing Steven Kiley in the seriesMarcus Welby, M.D.He is also a two-time winner and six-time Golden Globe nominee, winning twice forMarcus Welby, M.D.In addition to these award-winning roles, Brolin’s other performances include parts inTraffic,Westworld,Capricorn One, andThe Amityville Horror.
James Brolin is also the father of famous actor Josh Brolin.
6Alan Rickman
The Butler (2013)
10 years later, late actorAlan Rickman stepped in to play Reagan in the Lee Daniels' filmThe Butler.The Butlerfollows the story of Cecil Gaines, a White House Butler who worked under eight presidents, of which Reagan was one. Five of these presidents are portrayed in the movie, all by fairly famous actors, including Rickman, who plays Reagan in the film. The other four presidents in the film include John F. Kennedy (James Marsden), Richard Nixon (John Cusack), Dwight D. Eisenhower (Robin Williams), and Lyndon B. Johnson (Liev Schreiber).
Rickman began his acting career back in the late 1970s, appearing in a number of TV miniseries. He made his biggest Hollywood break when he played villain Hans Gruber in the classic 1988 action filmDie Hard. He also became well-known for playing Professor Severus Snape in theHarry Potterfranchise.Rickman passed away at the age of 69from pancreatic cancer. His final two roles were inEye in the Skyand as the voice of Absolem inAlice Through the Looking Glass.
The Butler
Cast
The Butler is a historical drama directed by Lee Daniels, featuring Forest Whitaker as Cecil Gaines, an African American butler who serves eight presidents in the White House. The film spans several decades, highlighting Gaines’s unique perspective on significant events in American history while navigating his personal struggles and evolving family dynamics. The cast includes Oprah Winfrey, David Oyelowo, and Cuba Gooding Jr.
5Tim Matheson
Killing Reagan (2016)
In addition toThe Day Reagan Was Shot,the Hinckley assassination attempt was portrayed in 2016’sKilling Reagan. Like the Crenna film,Killing Reaganwas also a made-for-TV movie. Taking the place of the late Crenna was actor Tim Matheson. Matheson played the role opposite Cynthia Nixon in the role of Nancy Reagan. Matheson is no stranger to political drama, with his former work including playing fictional Vice President John Hoynes on thehit seriesThe West Wing. Matheson was nominated for two Emmys for this role.
Born in 1947, Matheson began his career as a teenage actor, playing in various shows throughout the 1960s. In addition to his parts onThe West WingandKilling Reagan, Matheson’s roles include parts inVirgin River,National Lampoon’s Animal House, andVirgin River. His recent work also includes guest and supporting roles in TV series such asQuantum Leap,Evil, andThis is Us.
4Dennis Quaid
Reagan (2024)
The most recent portrayal of the former president is inReagan, where the character is played by Dennis Quaid. Whereas films likeKilling ReaganorThe Reagansfocus heavily on Reagan’s political career,Reagantakes a more holistic look, charting the path of the former president’s life from his childhood up through his tenure as president. Playing opposite Quaid is Penelope Ann Miller as Nancy Reagan.Reagan’s reception among audiences is disparate from that of its critical reception, for the film has a 98% Popcornmeter.
Like Matheson, Quaid is also experienced in playing politically-based roles. In the 2010 filmThe Special Relationship, Quaid portrayed Bill Clinton. His performance in this role was praised, as he went on to be nominated for an Emmy for the part. Quaid’s other notable roles include parts inFar From Heaven,The Day After Tomorrow, andFrequency.
Reagan
Reagon follows the life of the 40th president of the United States, Ronald Reagan, from his time as a young boy through his tenure in the Oval Office.
3Neil Ross
InHumanoids (1986)
The depictions of Ronald Reagan discussed above are so far more conventional portrayals of the former president, documenting his life, career, marriage, and more. An episode of the showInHumanoidstitled “The Surma Plan” takes a far different approach. In “The Surma Plan,” Metlar, the lead of The Inhumanoids, is threatened by the Soviets. In the show, it isPresident Reagan that first suggests that the Inhumanoids contact the Soviets. Voice actor Neil Ross takes on Reagan inInHumanoids.
Ross voice acted in eight episodes ofThe InHumanoids, mainly playing Herc Armstrong. Born in 1944, the octogenarian has boasted a prolific career in voice acting, with almost 300 credits to his name. Hismost notable work includes parts in 1986’sTransformers: The MovieandBack to the Future Part II.He is still a working voice actor today, recently contributing his talents to the video gameCat Quest III. His upcoming roles include two video game credits forRosewaterandMetal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater.
2Bruce Campbell
Fargo Season 2
Another TV appearance for a Reagan character came in season 2 ofFargo. In two episodes, titled “The Gift of the Magi” and “Loplop,” Reagan visits the titular Fargo during his campaign trail. In saidFargoseason 2 episodes, Reagan is played by Bruce Campbell.Campbell also appeared in the original filmFargoas an unnamed TV soap opera star, so his appearance as Reagan inFargois thought to retroactively canonize Reagan as Campbell’s former role.
In addition to his guest appearance inFargo, Campbell is a well-established actor who has been working in the industry for years. He is best known for his involvement inThe Evil Deadfranchise, which he helped raise money for and executive produced in addition to starring. Campbell is also known for roles in films such asArmy of DarknessandBubba Ho-Tep. His recent parts include a role inMy Southern Family Christmas, as well as a voice cameo inEvil Dead Rise.
Fargo
Fargo is a Black Comedy Crime Drama television series that is based on the film of the same name, which was originally created by the Coen Brothers. The TV adaptation was developed by Noah Hawley and follows an anthology format for each of its seasons, taking place in a different time period or location within the “Fargo” universe. So far, the series has seen big-name stars like Billy Bob Thornton, Ewan McGregor, Chris Rock, and Kirsten Dunst.
1Zach Hadel
Smiling Friends
Perhaps the most off-the-wall of all Reagan TV or movie appearances is in the adult animated TV seriesSmiling Friends. In an episode titled “Frowning Friends,” Mr. Boss meets with a series of financial advisors that include lampoons of Ronald Reagan and Warren Buffett. Reagan’s exact political role inSmiling Friendsis unclear, as the series establishes that a character named Shrimpo Jones won the 1980 U.S. Presidential Election. This would have at least precluded Reagan from serving his 1981-1985 presidential term.
Smiling Friends' version of Reagan is played by Zach Hadel.Hadel also works behind-the-scenes as a writer and co-creator forSmiling Friends, in addition to providing voices to multiple of the show’s characters. Hadel is also a skilled animator and YouTuber, who has made a number of shorts in addition to co-creatingSmiling Friends.
In a colorful yet bizarre world, two employees at a small firm dedicated to its making its customers smile discover that their jobs are rarely as simple as they seem.
