During an interview with NBC anchor Megyn Kelly, actor Dennis Quaid described feeling nervous about his recently announced role playing Ronald Reagan for an upcoming biopic about the nation’s 40th president. Quaid told Kelly that Reagan was his “favorite president” and that he felt a “huge responsibility” to get him right in the film.

“Dennis Quaid is no stranger to Hollywood, bursting on the scene in the late 1970s....But after more than 60 starring roles, it is his latest that has him most nervous, that of President Ronald Reagan,” Kelly explained. She asked him: “So you must feel pressure?” Quaid replied: “Well, he was my favorite president of my life....There’s so many things that he did that changed my life and the world for the better.”

The actor proceeded to list just a few of Reagan’s accomplishments: “For one thing, ending the Cold War. And he brought back a sense of common sense. He stuck to his guns and his principles. He was a great man and a humble man.”

Moments later, Quaid revealed his support for the late president: “I voted for Reagan the first time, by the way.” He then described his political leanings this way: “And I’ve voted on both sides. I’m not a Republican, I’m not a Democrat, I’m an independent. Always have been.” Kelly interjected: “Is that allowed in Hollywood? I didn’t realize that was allowed.” Quaid joked: “To be an independent, yeah, that’s allowed. That’s how I get away with it.”

Kelly observed that Reagan “had sort of an ‘aw shucks’ persona,” prompting Quaid to declare: “I think he was born genetically with a sunny disposition. And that’s the thing that he and I have in common. Because I do have a sunny disposition actually.”

Asking about the weight of the role, Kelly wondered: “Is there a bigger responsibility for you in taking on this role, given your admiration for him and so many people’s?” Quaid agreed: “Well, I feel a huge responsibility whenever I play somebody who was a real person, whether they’re dead or alive. Because I want to get them right.”

Noting that Quaid “plans to sift through first-hand accounts from over 50 people closest to the former president, including his surgeon, his longtime secret service agent, and his preacher” to prepare, Kelly asked: “To understand Reagan, you have to understand what a big role faith plays in his life, too....Can you relate to that at all?”

Quaid responded: “I do have a deep faith. I grew up in Sunday school in a Baptist church....It’s about that knowingness, the wonderful feeling of being alive.”

In a later portion of the lengthy exchange, Quaid also praised Reagan’s love affair with Nancy Reagan: “That to me is the greatest accomplishment I think he would think of his life, would be his relationship with Nancy....I think that’s what he wanted more than anything, to have a close intimacy with another person for your entire life.”

It’s refreshing to see a member of Hollywood openly express admiration for a conservative leader and a desire to portray him honestly on film.

Here are excerpts of the July 23 interview: