Ronald Reagan. Reagan, Ronald Wilson (Ron, Dutch; the Great Communicator) US movie actor and Republican politician; starred in movies "Brother Rat" 1938 (as Dan Crawford), "Knute Rockne, All American" 1940 (as George "the Gipper" Gipp), "Bedtime for Bonzo" 1951 (as Peter Boyd); president of Screen Actors Guild 1947-1952, 1959-1960; governor of California 1966-1975; candidate for Republican presidential nomination 1976; 40th president of US 1981-1989; survived assassination attempt by John Hinckley Jr. 1981; promoted supply-side economics and pursued policy of federal tax reduction, higher interest rates, and deficit spending; sent US troops to protect Americans and oust Marxist regime in Grenada 1983; met with Mikhail Gorbachev at arms summits in Geneva 1985 and Reykjavik 1986; with Mikhail Gorbachev, signed Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty 1987; co-wrote memoir "Where's the Rest of Me? The Ronald Reagan Story" 1965, wrote memoir "An American Life: The Autobiography" 1990 _1911-2004