Facts about Ronald Reagan

Physical Characteristics

• Height: 6'1"
• Hair: Brown
• Weight: 180-184 lbs.
• Eyes: Blue
• Generally right-handed
• Ruddy complexion (did not require face makeup for movie roles)
• Eyesight - Nearsighted since childhood. Began wearing glasses around the time he entered high school. Began wearing contact lenses when he began his acting career, which was shortly after they first became available.
• Hearing - Hard of hearing, especially in the right ear, since an actor fired a pistol near his head during the making of a motion picture. The film was one of the four, released in 1939 and 1940, in which Reagan portrayed Secret Service agent Brass Bancroft. To avoid causing embarrassment, Reagan never publicly identified the particular film, or the individual who fired the gun. He began wearing a hearing aid in 1983.

Firsts in Life

• Automobile - a 1934 Nash Lafayette Coupe
• Job - A construction contractor hired him at 14 to dig ditches ten hours a day, six days a week, for a wage of 35 cents per hour.  He saved the money earned (about $200) for his college tuition.
• Movie - Love Is On the Air (1937), in which he played a radio announcer.

Favorite - Physical Activities/Sports

• Golf
• Horseback riding
• Ranch work
• Swimming
• Target shooting
• After onset of Alzheimer's Disease, favored golf over more strenuous activities.
• Major League Baseball
• Football - College and Professional

President Reagan Horseback Riding at Rancho Del Cielo on September 3, 1988 NAID: 117700547

Religion

Although raised in his mother's Disciples of Christ denomination, beginning in 1963 Reagan generally attended  Presbyterian church services at Bel-Air Presbyterian Church, Bel-Air, California. He became an official member of Bel-Air Presbyterian after leaving the Presidency. In addition, Reagan stated that he considered himself a “born-again Christian."

Favorite - Bible Verse

• "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotton son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Favorite - Books

• The Bible

Favorite - Hymn

• Battle Hymn of the Republic

Favorite - Bible Verse

Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord;
Who can shew forth all his praise?
Blessed are they that keep judgment,
and he that doeth righteousness at all times.
Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people;
O visit me with thy salvation;
That I may see the good of thy chosen,
that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation,
that I may glory with thine inheritance.
Psalm 106:2-5

Favorite - Books (Childhood)

• Northern Trails, by William Joseph Long
• That Printer of Udell's, by Harold Bell Wright
• Book series featuring the Rover Boys, Tarzan of the Apes, and Frank Merriwell
• The Bible

Favorite - Book Genre

• Fiction
• Historical

Favorite - Magazine

• National Review

Favorite - Christmas Carol

• Silent Night

Favorite - Cologne

• Royal Briar

Favorite - Comic Strip

• Peanuts

Favorite - Desserts

• Brownies
• Carrot cake
• Chocolate cake
• Chocolate chip cookies

Dislikes - Food

• Brussels sprouts
• Liver
• Tomatoes

Favorite - Food/Recipies/Beverages

Favorite - Movie Sound Track

• The Sound of Music

Favorite - Song

• Nancy With the Laughing Face

Favorite - Symphonic Works

• Concerto #1, Tchaikovsky
• Lara's Theme (from Doctor Zhivago)
• Firebird Suite, Stravinsky
• Grand Canyon Suite, Ferde Grofe
• Porgy and Bess, Gershwin

Favorite - Poem

• If, by Rudyard Kipling

Favorite - Tree

• Sycamore

Favorite - Television Shows

• 1965:  Bonanza
• 1967:  The Carol Burnett Show
• The Dean Martin Show
• Mission: Impossible
• 1981:  Little House on the Prairie
• The Waltons

Favorite - Reagan's Movies and His Roles

• Knute Rockne, All American (1940) Supporting Part: George Gipp (The Gipper)
• King's Row (1941) Lead Role

Dislikes - His Own Movies

• That Hagen Girl (1947)