As it readies for Sunday’s Oscars, organizers of the 90th Academy Awards are being urged to give former President Reagan an honorary posthumous award, erasing the Gipper’s biggest disappointment.
A former aide and author of the just released book Movie Nights with the Reagans: A Memoir has organized a petition and letter writing campaign to the Academy that seeks the presentation of a Reagan Oscar on Sunday night.
The effort is backed by former Reagan aide and author Mark Weinberg, the 1.3 million member Association of Mature American citizens, son Michael Reagan, and others.
In his book, published by Simon & Schuster and already a No. 1 Amazon best-seller, Weinberg revealed that Reagan, long an actor and twice elected president of the Screen Actors Guild, felt that Hollywood had ’dissed him by never giving him an honorary Oscar like it had more liberal figures.
Gene Kelly nominated Reagan as president of SAG.
“I guess their political agenda has taken over good manners,” he told Weinberg.
Reagan, elected twice as president of the United States, is the only movie star elected to the nation’s highest office.
Weinberg has since started a petition, Reaganoscar.com, and been joined by the others in his effort. They have released a letter to Academy President John Bailey CEO is Dawn Hudson.
It is below:
As you prepare for the 90th Academy Awards in March, I hope you will consider the presentation of posthumous Honorary Award to Ronald Reagan for his lifetime achievements and his exceptional contributions to motion picture arts and sciences.
I worked for Ronald Reagan for more than 10 years, including serving on his 1980 campaign, all eight years on the White House staff and two years thereafter as his spokesman and media advisor when he left the presidency and came back home to California. I am currently writing a book about those years, Movie Nights with the Reagans, for Simon & Schuster. One of the major themes of the book is the love and appreciation President Reagan had for what he called “the motion picture business.” Indeed, I half-joke that Reagan would have preferred his epitaph to have been “actor” over his later titles of Governor of California and President of the United States!
In working on the book, I was reminded of one of President Reagan’s private disappointments during his time in public life. He was troubled by a feeling that his genuine appreciation and pride in Hollywood was not returned. He never would have asked for such an honor, but I know he dreamed that he might one day be given an Honorary Oscar in recognition of his legacy and contributions to the motion pictures.
As you know, posthumous honorary awards are not uncommon in the academy’s history, with some being awarded several years after the death of the honoree. And it can hardly be said that Ronald Reagan’s legacy has been at all diminished since his death – indeed, it has only grown in stature.
From a motion picture perspective, Ronald Reagan is credited with more than 50 films, many of which have become iconic, including Kings Row, Knute Rockne All American, Bedtime for Bonzo and Hellcats of the Navy, among many others. Additionally, Ronald Reagan was twice elected president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), where he was widely regarded as a strong advocate for actors, which included leading the first-ever strike – permanently changing the relationship between actors and producers. His positive impact on the rights and well-being of actors in film cannot be overstated.
Ronald Reagan is the only movie star to have been (twice) elected president of the United States. The elevation of one of its own profession to the highest office in the land should by itself justify recognition by the Academy.
Before, during, and after his presidency, Ronald Reagan spoke fondly and proudly of his years in Hollywood and never resisted an opportunity to remind audiences of the unique contribution the motion picture industry makes to culture in America and around the world. No person before or since gave the motion picture industry greater prominence or prestige.
At a time when the movie industry is under scrutiny over misbehavior among some of its most prominent members, it would be heartening to remember someone who brought great honor to the profession. In March, you have an opportunity to send a message to the world that you value actors who behaved with decency, good manners and respect for all people. The only member of the Academy to occupy the White House conducted himself in a manner that even political opponents would now – and did then – acknowledge as exemplary.
It would serve the Academy well to honor a man who unabashedly touted the unique virtues of the motion picture industry from the most important stage in the world, who conducted himself as a respectful gentleman through his entire life, and whose legacy makes many Americans pine for an era like his.
Thank you for your consideration.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
