Ronald Reagan's children lash out at Will Ferrell after it is revealed her will play their father in a COMEDY about his battle with Alzheimer’s and dementia

Source: Daily Mail Online
Published: Apr 28, 2016
Author: Chris Spargo
Post Date: 2016-04-28 17:17:45 by cranky
Views: 3786

  • It was announced earlier this week that Will Ferrell would star and produce Reagan, a comedy about Ronald Reagan
  • The film is about Reagan falling as president and the intern who convinces him he is an actor playing the president so he can do his job
  • Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1994 and passed away a decade later because of the disease
  • Reagan's daughter Patti Davis and son Michael Reagan are lashing out at Ferrell for agreeing to be in the film
  • 'Perhaps for your comedy you would like to visit some dementia facilities. I have - I didn’t find anything comedic there,' said Patti
  • Michael wrote on Twitter; ''What an Outrage....Alzheimers is not joke...It kills..You should be ashamed all of you'

The children of Ronald Reagan are voicing their outrage one day after it was reported that Will Ferrell would be playing their father in a comedic film about his battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Patti Davis and Michael Reagan both lashed out at Ferrell on Thursday, with Michael writing on Twitter; 'What an Outrage....Alzheimers is not joke...It kills..You should be ashamed all of you.'

Patti meanwhile spoke of watching her father slowly drift away over the 10 years he fought the disease, and said she now runs a group called Beyond Alzheimer’s that provides support for caregivers and family members dealing with the disease.

'Perhaps you would like to explain to them how this disease is suitable material for a comedy,' Patti wrote to Ferrell in an open letter.

It was announced earlier this week that Ferrell would star and produce Reagan, a Black List script from writer Mike Rosolio about the actor turned president's second term.

A description of the film when it was named to the Black List said; 'When Ronald Reagan falls into dementia at the start of his second term, an ambitious intern is tasked with convincing the Commander-In-Chief that he is an actor playing the President in a movie.'

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Mixed reaction: It was announced earlier this week that Will Ferrell (above in February) would star and produce Reagan, a comedy about Ronald Reagan

Mixed reaction: It was announced earlier this week that Will Ferrell (above in February) would star and produce Reagan, a comedy about Ronald Reagan

Patti Davis
Michael Reagan

Not happy: Reagan's daughter Patti Davis (left in 2013) and son Michael Reagan (right in 2011) are lashing out at Ferrell for agreeing to be in the film

Tough subject: The film is about Reagan (above in 1982) falling into dementia during his second term as president

Tough subject: The film is about Reagan (above in 1982) falling into dementia during his second term as president

'I watched helplessly as he reached for memories, for words, that were suddenly out of reach and moving farther away,' wrote Patti in her letter.

'For ten long years he drifted - past the memories that marked his life, past all that was familiar…and mercifully, finally past the fear.

'There was laughter in those years, but there was never humor.'

Patti went on to say; 'Alzheimer’s is the ultimate pirate, pillaging a person’s life and leaving an empty landscape behind. It sweeps up entire families, forcing everyone to claw their way through overwhelming grief, confusion, helplessness, and anger.

'Perhaps for your comedy you would like to visit some dementia facilities. I have - I didn’t find anything comedic there, and my hope would be that if you’re a decent human being, you wouldn’t either.'

President Reagan died in 2004 as a result of pneumonia that was complicated by his Alzheimer's

Patti and her parents had a complicated relationship, which was not helped by the release of her memoir The Way I See It.

The book, released in 1992, painted her mother as a remarkably cruel woman and her father as a man who emotionally abandoned his children.

Davis also wrote that her mother relied heavily on sleeping and prescription pills during her years in the White House despite her 'Just Say No' campaign.

Reagan was also accused of hiding her husband's two children from his first marriage from Davis and her brother in their childhood years.

She reportedly received a $500,000 advance for the book, which her parents responded to by releasing a statement saying; 'We have always loved all of our children, including our daughter, Patti. We hope the day will come when she rejoins our family. Toward that end, we see no useful purpose for further comment.'

Davis also did not make her mother very pleased when she posed naked for Playgirl in a 1994 issue of the magazine.

PATTI DAVIS' OPEN LETTER TO WILL FERRELL

Dear Mr. Ferrell,

'I saw the news bulletin — as did everyone — that you intend to portray my father in the throes of Alzheimer’s for a comedy that you are also producing. Perhaps you have managed to retain some ignorance about Alzheimer’s and other versions of dementia. Perhaps if you knew more, you would not find the subject humorous.

'Alzheimer’s doesn’t care if you are President of the United States or a dockworker. It steals what is most precious to a human being — memories, connections, the familiar landmarks of a lifetime that we all come to rely on to hold our place secure in this world and keep us linked to those we have come to know and love.

'I watched as fear invaded my father’s eyes — this man who was never afraid of anything. I heard his voice tremble as he stood in the living room and said, “I don’t know where I am.” I watched helplessly as he reached for memories, for words, that were suddenly out of reach and moving farther away.

'For ten long years he drifted — past the memories that marked his life, past all that was familiar…and mercifully, finally past the fear.

'There was laughter in those years, but there was never humor.

'Alzheimer’s is the ultimate pirate, pillaging a person’s life and leaving an empty landscape behind. It sweeps up entire families, forcing everyone to claw their way through overwhelming grief, confusion, helplessness, and anger.

'Perhaps for your comedy you would like to visit some dementia facilities. I have — I didn’t find anything comedic there, and my hope would be that if you’re a decent human being, you wouldn’t either.

'Twice a week I run a support group called Beyond Alzheimer’s for caregivers and family members of those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. I look into haunted eyes that remind me of my own when my father was ill. I listen to stories of helplessness and loss and am continually moved by the bravery of those who wake up every morning not knowing who their loved one will be that day, or what will be lost.

'The only certainty with Alzheimer’s is that more will be lost and the disease will always win in the end.

'Perhaps you would like to explain to them how this disease is suitable material for a comedy.'

Awful: Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 1994 and passed away a decade later because of the disease (l to r: Ron, Nancy, Patti and Michael at his funeral)

Awful: Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 1994 and passed away a decade later because of the disease (l to r: Ron, Nancy, Patti and Michael at his funeral)

There was a live reading of the script last March in Los Angeles with Lena Dunham, Dennis haysbert and James Brolin, who played Reagan.

Brolin previously played the president in the television miniseries The Reagans.

Ferrell has yet to respond to these attacks from the Reagan children.

Post Comment   Private Reply

#1: Logsplitter    To: cranky (#0)

There's a Hinkley out there for Ferrell, God willing.

Logsplitter posted on 2016-04-28 17:32:01   Reply   Private Reply

#2: ConservingFreedom    To: cranky (#0)

ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-04-28 17:44:31   Reply   Private Reply

#3: sneakypete    To: cranky (#0)

It's possible to make a comedy about Alzheimer's and dementia?

Seriously?

I hope the producers lose their asses.

sneakypete posted on 2016-04-28 17:46:16   Reply   Private Reply

#4: sneakypete    To: cranky (#0)

'When Ronald Reagan falls into dementia at the start of his second term, an ambitious intern is tasked with convincing the Commander-In-Chief that he is an actor playing the President in a movie.'

I think the saddest thing about this is that the people of today will see this,and actually believe that is historically accurate.

Buncha freaking dummies.

sneakypete posted on 2016-04-28 17:48:44   Reply   Private Reply

#5: ConservingFreedom    To: sneakypete (#3)

I hope the producers lose their asses.

It won't be done for money but for leftie Hollyweird cred.

ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-04-28 17:49:02   Reply   Private Reply

#6: sneakypete    To: ConservingFreedom (#5)

It won't be done for money but for leftie Hollyweird cred.

NOTHING in Hollywood shouts louder than losing money. Money IS their God.

sneakypete posted on 2016-04-28 17:51:52   Reply   Private Reply

#7: SOSO    To: sneakypete, cranky, All (#3)

It's possible to make a comedy about Alzheimer's and dementia?

Seriously?

I hope the producers lose their asses.

You never heard of Springtime for Hitler?

SOSO posted on 2016-04-28 18:03:05   Reply   Private Reply

#8: cranky    To: SOSO (#7)

You never heard of Springtime for Hitler?

Dick Shawn pulled it off.

I don't think Ferrell can.

cranky posted on 2016-04-28 18:23:08   Reply   Private Reply

#9: paraclete    To: sneakypete (#3)

It's possible to make a comedy about Alzheimer's and dementia?

A very successful comedy called Mother and Son was made some years ago

paraclete posted on 2016-04-28 18:24:01   Reply   Private Reply

#10: Stoner    To: sneakypete (#3)

" I hope the producers lose their asses. "

I do too !!!!

Stoner posted on 2016-04-28 18:33:55   Reply   Private Reply

#11: sneakypete    To: SOSO (#7)

You never heard of Springtime for Hitler?

Yeah,but that was Mel Brooks,and clearly satire.

sneakypete posted on 2016-04-28 18:50:03   Reply   Private Reply

#12: Stoner    To: Logsplitter (#1)

I thought Will Ferrell was ok on SNL. After that, I thought he really sucked.

This is a really new low for him. Ef him!!

Stoner posted on 2016-04-28 19:00:04   Reply   Private Reply

#13: Deckard    To: Stoner (#12)

I thought Will Ferrell was ok on SNL.

The only thing I he did that I thought was funny was the Blue Öyster Cult "more cowbell" skit from that show.

And even then, it was Christopher Walken who got the most laughs.

Deckard posted on 2016-04-28 19:20:50   Reply   Private Reply

#14: Jameson    To: sneakypete (#4)

I think the saddest thing about this is that the people of today will see this,and actually believe that is historically accurate.

Sad only if it can be proven that it is NOT historically accurate....

so.....who can prove that Ronnie knew it wasn't just an act?......

perhaps it is sad that so many folks believe that RR actually was able to run the nation when in reality he was incapacitated....

Jameson posted on 2016-04-28 21:02:37   Reply   Private Reply

#15: Don    To: Stoner (#12)

Collectively, This whole nation is on a new low. I spent twenty-five years in the military opposing the Communists, but now they have taken over. Personally, I don't think they will enjoy what they have wanted for so long. Fortunately, my home is with the Lord, not on the Planet Earth as it is now.

Don posted on 2016-04-28 21:03:26   Reply   Private Reply

#16: sneakypete    To: Jameson (#14)

Sad only if it can be proven that it is NOT historically accurate....

so.....who can prove that Ronnie knew it wasn't just an act?......

Now the standard is that we have to prove a negative???????

The burden of proof is on the accuser.

sneakypete posted on 2016-04-28 21:47:49   Reply   Private Reply

#17: paraclete    To: Jameson (#14)

Sad only if it can be proven that it is NOT historically accurate....

so.....who can prove that Ronnie knew it wasn't just an act?......

perhaps it is sad that so many folks believe that RR actually was able to run the nation when in reality he was incapacitated....

The whole point is does it matter whether it was an act or not, it is a great plot line, the play within the play so well done in Hamlet and fun in the White House has been done before, wasn't there a comedy about how disfunctional George Bush was.

I can see Ronny forgetting where he left the nuclear trigger. The Star Wars scenario plays so well too. It is a pity they used Farrell, they should have used some old fart like Harrison Ford or Sean Connery, they are good at playing comedy with a straight face

paraclete posted on 2016-04-28 22:17:59   Reply   Private Reply

#18: Stoner    To: paraclete (#17)

" Harrison Ford or Sean Connery "

I doubt either one would stoop so low to take the role.

Stoner posted on 2016-04-29 10:49:18   Reply   Private Reply

#19: paraclete    To: Stoner (#18)

I doubt either one would stoop so low to take the role.

oh I don't know it seems Connery would do just about anything

paraclete posted on 2016-04-29 22:04:27   Reply   Private Reply

#20: Justified    To: All (#0)

If there is a film to be made it would be one of bubba cheating on Hildabeast. It could be a monty python style comedy.

Now that would be funny!

BTW I also heard Ferrell has standards and would not be making this hit piece.

Justified posted on 2016-04-29 22:14:00   Reply   Private Reply

#21: ConservingFreedom    To: Justified (#20)

I also heard Ferrell has standards and would not be making this hit piece.

pagesix.com/2016/04/29/wi...out-of-reagan-alzheimers- comedy/

ConservingFreedom posted on 2016-04-29 22:56:12   Reply   Private Reply