Former President of the United States Ronald Reagan, born Feb. 6, 1911, in Tampico, Illinois, began his career in entertainment as a Hollywood actor and president of the Screen Actors Guild before moving onto politics. From Governor of California in the late '60s and mid-'70s to President of the United States in the '80s, Reagan spent decades in the political sphere. In 1994, Reagan announced he had Alzheimer's disease. On June 5, 2004, the former POTUS died from pneumonia complicated by Alzheimer's. Look back at his life and career in photos.
Ronald Reagan holds a football in a scene from the 1940 film “Knute Rockne – All American,” in which Reagan portrays Notre Dame halfback George Gipp. Others are unidentified.
Actresses Joy Hodges, left, and Arleen Whelan, rear, show their admiration for the engagement ring on co-star Jane Wyman’s finger, given to her by her fiance, actor Ronald Reagan, in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Dec. 2, 1939.
Actor Ronald Reagan gives his testimony before the House Committee on Un-American Activities in Washington, D.C., Oct. 23, 1947. The group is conducting an investigation of Communist activities in the film capital.
Actor Ronald Reagan photographed in 1938 at age 27.
Jane Wyman appeared at the Los Angeles City Hall on Jan. 20, 1940 with her sweetheart on and off the screen, Ronald Reagan, to apply for a marriage license.
Actor Ronald Reagan and wife actress Nancy Davis. arrive for the West coast premiere of “Cleopatra” at Pentagon Theater in Hollywood, Calif. on June 19, 1963.
Gov. Ronald Reagan notices the bowl of jelly beans his favorite munching food, as he and Nancy Reagan, left, signed the voters register at their polling place, Nov. 6, 1973, West Los Angeles, Calif. The Reagan’s official residence is nearby.
Ronald Reagan, Governor of California, Republican Presidential Candidate speaking in 1976.
President Ronald Reagan and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher speak to reporters at the White House in Washington on June 23, 1982
Actor Ronald Reagan is seen in 1938 at age 27.
Ronald Reagan and Nancy Davis arrive for the Screen Writers Guild Dinner at the Ambassador Hotel, Hollywood, Calif. on Feb. 22, 1951.
Gov. Ronald Reagan of California, temporary chairman of the Republican National Convention, turns the gavel over to the permanent chairman, Rep. Gerald R. Ford, of Michigan, at the session in Miami Beach, Florida on Aug. 22, 1972.
Gov. Ronald Reagan and son, Ronald Jr. (“Skipper”), both football fans, play touch football in the backyard of their Sacramento home, Nov. 15, 1971.
Gov. Ronald Reagan at a news conference in his Capitol Office in Sacramento Jan. 8, 1971.
Governor of California, Ronald Regan shown riding his horse on his ranch near Auburn, Calif. March 1, 1968.
Gov. Ronald Reagan addresses a statewide audience from a Sacramento television station on May 6, 1970. Reagan announced he had asked that all California University and State College campuses be closed because of “emotional conditions now prevailing on most campuses.”
Richard Nixon greets Gov. Ronald Reagan, right, as the California chief executive arrives in San Diego on August 16, 1968, to confer with Nixon and his staff about their plans for the fall campaign.
Calif. GOP gubernatorial candidate Ronald Reagan and wife Nancy shown at polling booth in Los Angeles on June 7, 1966.
Actor Ronald Reagan and his wife, actress Nancy Davis, discuss the merits of a tractor on their 305 acre ranch in the Santa Monica, California, mountains on April 8, 1965.
Ronald Reagan, host of the “General Electric Theatre” along with his wife actress Nancy Davis, children Patricia Ann, 9, and Ronald Prescott, 2, on Oct. 19, 1960 in Pacific Palisades, Calif.
Governor-elect Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy Reagan, and two children tour their new home, the Executive Mansion, after their arrival in Sacramento, Calif., Jan. 1, 1967. Reagan will be sworn-in as California’s new governor in a post-midnight ceremony tonight. From left are, Reagan, Patricia, 13, Nancy, and Ronald Jr., 8.
Ronald Reagan and his wife, actress Nancy Davis, acknowledge victory for the Republican nomination for governor of California on June 8, 1966 in Los Angeles at The Ambassador Hotel. The 54-year-old actor promised a campaign calculated to win votes from both Democrats and Republicans. Reagan easily defeated George Christopher of San Francisco for the GOP nomination. Actor Cesar Romero is at far left.
Ronald Reagan, California’s 33rd Governor, stands at the podium and acknowledges applause following his introduction at inaugural ceremonies on Jan. 5, 1967 on the Sacramento capitol steps in Sacramento, California. To his right is his wife, Nancy. Legislators behind him include, front row: Assemblymen Charles Conrad, R-Sherman Oask; Don Mulford, R-Piedmont; Assembly Minority Leader Robert Monagan, R-Tracy, and Carlos Bee, D-Hayward, speaker pro tem of the Assembly.
Ronald Reagan enters his car after a brief stop in Milan, N.H., Jan.6 , 1976 where he addressed members of the Methodist church. It was the second day of his campaign trip in New Hampshire in his bid for the Republican nomination for president.
Vice President Spiro Agnew sits with Gov. and Nancy Reagan and Sen. George Murphy (right) as the Rams met the Minnesota Vikings in an NFL game on Dec. 7, 1969 at Los Angeles.
Film star Ronald Reagan takes Tar Baby, famous jumper, around the Reagan ranch at Van Nuys, Calif., accompanied by Tar Baby, Jr., Sept. 22, 1948. Horses are his hobby away from the studio.
Sen. Robert Dole has a departing word with former California Governor Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan outside Reagan’s home on Sept. 25, 1975 in Pacific Palisades, Calif. Dole made the pilgrimage to Reagan’s home to seek more help from former GOP Presidential candidate for the Ford-Dole ticket.
Ronald Reagan attend the Ice Follies premiere on crutches, Sept. 9, 1949. He broke his leg playing in a charity soft ball game.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Ronald Reagan was given the balloon and placard treatment when he arrived at the Fairmont hotel for his talk before the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco on Oct. 28, 1966.
Actor Ronald Regan and his wife Nancy arrive for funeral services for comedian Lou Costello on March 7, 1959 in Sherman Oaks, Calif.
Ronald Reagan, Republican candidate for governor California, and his wife Nancy and son Ron Jr., 8, sit on a ranch fence talking with newsmen before the start of a state-wide political telecast that featured him and other GOP candidates for California political office. The telecast originated from the Reagan’s 305-acre ranch in the Malibu Hills near Los Angeles on Oct. 16, 1966.
Actor Ronald Reagan and bride actress Nancy Davis smile at each other following their marriage on March 4, 1952, in the Little Brown Church of the Valley in north Hollywood, Calif. It is her first marriage and Reagan’s second.
Actor Ronald Reagan answers questions at a news conference in Los Angeles, Ca., on Jan. 4, 1965, after announcing that he will campaign for the Republican nomination for governor of California. He has never before run for political office.
Actor Ronald Reagan and wife actress Nancy Davis cut their wedding cake after their marriage at the non-sectarian Little Brown Church of the Valley in North Hollywood, Ca. on March 4, 1952. With them are actress Brenda Marshall, left, and her husband, actor William Holden.
President Ronald Reagan signs the papers accepting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial for the United States government during ceremonies in Washington on Nov. 11, 1984. With the President are: Jan Scruggs, President of the Memorial Fund, Interior Secretary William Clark and his wife, and Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger.
President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan pose under the White House Christmas tree on Dec. 25, 1981 with family members in Washington. From left are: Doria Reagan, with her husband Ron, son of the president; President Reagan, Mrs. Regan and daughter Patti Davis Reagan.
Queen Elizabeth II and President Ronald Reagan walk to the table in the St. George’s Hall of Windsor Castle for dinner, on June 8, 1980.
President Ronald Reagan and wife Nancy Reagan wave from the steps of Marine One shortly before departing the White House, Washington on March 17, 1985.
Republican presidential candidate Ronald Reagan stands before a cheering Republican National Convention in Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena on July 17, 1980.
Actor Ronald Reagan, right, gets some firsthand instruction from pitcher Bob Lemon of the Cleveland Indians at Burbank, California, Dec. 10, 1951.
The final day of campaigning for both parties found the Republicans starting the day in Peoria, Ill., on Nov. 3, 1980. Former President Gerald Ford lends his support to Ronald Reagan and running mate George Bush.
President candidate Ronald Reagan gives a big wave to some of his fans on a Washington street on June 19, 1980.
Former Republican President Gerald Ford, left, and Republican presidential hopeful Ronald Reagan chatted during a meeting at Fords home in Palm Springs, California on June 5, 1980.
Gov. Ronald Reagan, of the state of California as he spoke before a crowd at the Dade County Auditorium in Miami, Florida on March 9, 1972, for a Richard M. Nixon Appreciation Day.
