Ronald Reagan: From Hollywood To The Oval Office

Unable To Find Film Roles, Reagan Turns To Television

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By the 1950s Ronald Reagan found it difficult to find film roles. Although he was a longtime critic of television, he turned to the medium to continue acting. He became the host of General Electric Theater, a weekly series of popular dramas. The role required him to travel for 16 weeks a year and give 14 speeches a day.

General Electric Theater aired from 1953 to 1962. The exposure helped increase Reagan’s recognizability in American households. His higher profile would benefit his political career. Before that happened, though, he snagged one last movie role.