Dennis Quaid Rules as Nation’s Favorite Reagan Actor

Jeff Daniels gave The Gipper the ol’ college try in this summer’s “The Brink of War.”

The Emmy winner captured President Ronald Reagan’s savvy and stubbornness, but he neither looked nor sounded like the Real McCoy.

Dennis Quaid sure did, an opinion held by many after his starring turn in 2024’s “Reagan” biopic.

The Symphony Technology Group sampled 642 respondents on a simple question – which actor best captured the nation’s 40th president on screen?

The survey, commissioned by the nonprofit Foundations of Freedom, found Quaid’s performance topped them all.

Quaid’s Reagan came in first place with 39 percent of the vote. The second-place finisher? Daniels with 16 percent. 

Third place went to James Brolin, who starred in “The Reagans” on Showtime in 2003. The miniseries caught heat from conservatives on several fronts, although some of the anger may have stemmed from material that didn’t make it to the final version.

Others complained that the film purposely made President Reagan look insensitive to those afflicted with AIDS during the 1980s. The film was originally slated to appear on CBS but got booted to Showtime following the fracas. 

“Reagan” had two actors in the top slots. Not only did Quaid come out on top, but co-star David Henrie, who portrayed the future president, came in seventh place with 4 percent of the vote.

The full Reagan list:

1. Dennis Quaid, “Reagan” – 39 percent
2. Jeff Daniels, “The Brink of War” – 16 percent
3. James Brolin, “The Reagans” – 12 percent
4. Alan Rickman, “The Butler” – 12 percent
5. Bruce Campbell, “Fargo” – 8 percent
6. Richard Crenna, “The Day Reagan was Shot” – 5 percent
7. David Henrie, “Reagan” 4 percent
8. Tim Matheson, “Killing Reagan” 3 percent
9. Robert Beatty, “Breakthrough at Reykjavik” – 1 percent

Liberal film critics shredded “Reagan” during its initial release despite the film nabbing an astounding 98 percent “fresh” rating from general audiences. The “Director’s Cut” version of the film hits theaters Sept. 25. The updated edition, timed to honor the nation’s 250th birthday, includes 10 minutes of new footage.

The film will soon be available on VOD plaforms and, later, via DVD and Blu-ray formats.

“This extended version allows us to further explore key moments in President Reagan’s journey and share them with audiences at a time when the country is reflecting on its own history and future,” producer Mark Joseph said in a press statement.

The Director’s Cut snagged the Audience Choice Award and the Best Narrative Feature at the Anthem Film Festival in July.

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