Born Anne Frances Robbins in New York City, New York, in 1921, when she was 6 years old, her mother married Dr. Loyal Davis, who later adopted her. Soon after, the family moved to Chicago where Nancy grew up. She received her formal education at the Girls' Latin School and at Smith College in Massachusetts, where she majored in Theater. Soon after graduation, she became a professional actress. She toured with a road company and appeared on Broadway.
One of those performances drew an offer from Hollywood. Billed as Nancy Davis, she performed in 11 films from 1949 to 1956. Her first screen role was in "Shadow on the Wall." Other releases included "The Next Voice You Hear" and "East Side, West Side." In her last movie, "Hellcats of the Navy," she played opposite her future husband. She had met Ronald Reagan in 1951 when he was President of the Screen Actors Guild. The following year, they were married in a simple ceremony in Los Angeles.
Mrs. Reagan soon retired from making movies so she "could be the wife I wanted to be. A woman's real happiness and real fulfillment come from within the home with her husband and children," she said. President and Mrs. Reagan had a daughter, Patricia Ann, and a son, Ronald Prescott. She was also the stepmother to Maureen Reagan (1/4/1941-8/8/2001) and Michael Reagan, the former President's children by actress Jane Wyman.
Born Anne Frances Robbins in New York City, New York, in 1921, when she was 6 years old, her mother married Dr. Loyal Davis, who later adopted her. Soon after, the family moved to Chicago where Nancy grew up. She received her formal education at the Girls' Latin School and at Smith College in Massachusetts, where she majored in Theater. Soon after graduation, she became a professional actress. She toured with a road company and appeared on Broadway.
One of those performances drew an offer from Hollywood. Billed as Nancy Davis, she performed in 11 films from 1949 to 1956. Her first screen role was in "Shadow on the Wall." Other releases included "The Next Voice You Hear" and "East Side, West Side." In her last movie, "Hellcats of the Navy," she played opposite her future husband. She had met Ronald Reagan in 1951 when he was President of the Screen Actors Guild. The following year, they were married in a simple ceremony in Los Angeles.
Mrs. Reagan soon retired from making movies so she "could be the wife I wanted to be. A woman's real happiness and real fulfillment come from within the home with her husband and children," she said. President and Mrs. Reagan had a daughter, Patricia Ann, and a son, Ronald Prescott. She was also the stepmother to Maureen Reagan (1/4/1941-8/8/2001) and Michael Reagan, the former President's children by actress Jane Wyman.
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