ronald reagan

Ronald Reagan was often referred to as "The Great Communicator." It was an ability that served him well in radio, in movies, and as the 40th President of the United States.

Born in Tampico, Illinois on February 6, 1911, Ronald Reagan was bitten by the acting bug as a young man. Reagan admired the "Fireside Chats" delivered on radio by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, offering what Reagan termed "an eloquence that … reassured us that we could lick any problem." Such eloquence would have a huge impact on Reagan.

Reagan began his own radio career at WOC/Davenport in 1932, covering the University of Iowa's homecoming game against Minnesota. In 1933, he worked for WHO/Des Moines, where his responsibilities included re-creating baseball games by using ticker tape reports.

In 1937, Reagan went to California to cover the Cubs' spring training and stayed to begin a 28-year movie career. During this time, he appeared as a guest on countless radio shows, including Lux Radio Theater and Suspense.

Reagan was elected President of the United States in 1980; during his two terms in office, Reagan followed the example set by President Roosevelt and delivered a weekly radio address to the nation.

Ronald Reagan died on June 5, 2004.

Ronald Reagan was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2011.