[72] They married on March 4, 1952[73] and had two children, Patti in 1952, and Ron in 1958.[74]

Television
Reagan initially refused to work in television and on Broadway theatre, but after receiving offers to work in nightclubs in 1954,[75] he became the host of MCA Inc. television production General Electric Theater[41] at his agent's recommendation. It featured multiple guest stars,[76] and Ronald and Nancy Reagan, continuing to use her stage name Nancy Davis, acted together in three episodes.[77] When asked how Reagan was able to recruit such stars to appear on the show during television's infancy, he replied, "Good stories, top direction, production quality."[78] However, the viewership declined in the 1960s and the show was canceled in 1962.[79] In 1965, Reagan became the host[80] of another MCA production, Death Valley Days.[81]

Early political activities
Reagan campaigning with Barry Goldwater, 1964
Reagan began as a Democrat, viewing Franklin D. Roosevelt as "a true hero".[82] He joined the American Veterans Committee and Hollywood Independent Citizens Committee of the Arts, Sciences and Professions (HICCASP), worked with the AFL–CIO to fight right-to-work laws,[83] and continued to speak out against racism when he was in Hollywood.