Prior to his presidency, he was a Hollywood actor and union leader before serving as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 to 1975. Soon after taking office as president, Reagan began implementing sweeping new political and economic initiatives. Prior to his presidency, he was a Hollywood actor and union leader before serving as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 to 1975. Soon after taking office as president, Reagan began implementing sweeping new political and economic initiatives.