Actor Dennis Quaid sees plenty of similarities between the nation’s current landscape and the one that ushered in President Ronald Reagan in the late 1970s.
The 70-year-old star will be featured as the nation’s 40th president in an upcoming biopic set to be released in theaters on Aug. 30, and he spoke about his role during an interview this week at the Republican National Convention.
Appearing Thursday night on “The Bottom Line” along with his “Reagan” co-star Dan Lauria, Quaid spoke of the inspiring friendship between the president and then-House Speaker Tip O’Neill, a Massachusetts Democrat.
“They exemplified the way we would like to get this nation back to, as far as the unity and working it out with one another,” Quaid said.
“These days remind me very much of 1978, ‘79 in the country, with the economy, the Middle East, Iran,” the actor said. “There was a malaise during the Carter administration that was admitted, and along came Mr. Reagan. And he asked people: Are you better off than you were four years ago? And I think you can ask the same question today.”
Lauria agreed that cooperation was key.
“That’s always the key of getting anything done, even a movie, is being able to work together,” Lauria said. “And Tip O’Neill and Ronald Reagan, they didn’t really know each other that well before Ronald Reagan became president. But they found a common ground, they worked together, and what I love about it, they actually became friends.”
“Tip O’Neill was, outside of Nancy, Ronald Reagan’s first visitor to the hospital after the assassination attempt on him,” Quaid noted, referring to the March 1981 event when the president was shot and wounded by John Hinckley Jr. in Washington, D.C.
“In fact, I think the first thing he said, as I told people, [was] to keep the Democrats at least 150 yards away,” he added.
“They prayed together and they changed history together,” Quaid continued, “working with Congress during that time, and the nation came together, united.”
Fox News host Laura Ingraham contends Trump is the “true heir” to Reagan, saying this week that “history will remember Trump” as it has remembered Reagan.
Speaking with the host on “The Ingraham Angle” this week, Quaid noted the importance of the “Reagan” film at this time in the nation.
“It’s meant to entertain, that’s what all movies are,” he said. “But at the same time, that those maybe born after 1985 can get a glimpse of what this country was. And those that were alive at that time can be reminded of what this country still can be.”
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
- ICE is authorized to enter homes without a warrant, according to memo obtained by AP - January 22, 2026
- Fmr. Iowa school superintendent arrested by ICE to plead guilty to federal charges - January 22, 2026
- Illegal immigrant accused of killing college soccer player, girlfriend had prior charge dismissed - January 22, 2026
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.