Just like Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan is one of the most famous icons of US politics, both at home and abroad. He died on June 5, 2014, and he is known for being the 40th President of the United States. He served for two full terms, between the years of 1981 and 1989. Prior to becoming president, he was a Hollywood actor, which certainly helped shape and form the public's opinion of him.
Given that he was the first Hollywood actor to become president, Reagan set an example that others, like Arnold Schwarzenegger, followed. First, create a popular media persona, and then use that media person to get more votes than your opponents. Even the current president, Donald J. Trump has certainly had help from his earlier media success in gaining the presidency.