When he was first offered the part six years ago, the Emmy Award-winning actor second-guessed his choice to portray the 40th president of the United States in a biopic about Reagan’s life.
Quaid exclusively told News, “I didn’t say no, and I didn’t say yes because, really, fear.” Personally, I thought that Ronald Reagan was the best president ever, and he was also very well-known all over the world, much like Muhammad Ali.
Given that everyone was familiar with his appearance and voice, that was a highly unsettling idea.
It had to do with feeling unworthy and that I would be judged. He was an excellent communicator, among other things. But I had no desire to undertake an award.
Quaid didn’t really understand Reagan’s true nature beneath the many years of legends until he paid a visit to his ranch in Southern California.
Dennis Quaid said, “WE ALL NEED THAT,” referring to his faith carrying him through both good and bad times.
It was upon passing through a private gate “after going up 5 miles of the worst road in California,” that Quaid came to understand the modest nature of Reagan.
