Ronald Reagan was an American politician who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. Prior to his presidency, he was a Hollywood actor and union leader before serving as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 to 1975.At 69 years, 349 days of age at the time of his first inauguration, Ronald Reagan was the oldest person to have been elected to a first term. Reagan is still, however, the second oldest president elected, at 73 years, 349 days of age at his second inauguration.