Dennis Quaid takes on the leading role of Ronald Reagan in the upcoming REAGAN film, hitting theaters on August 30. The film which boasts an all-star cast that also includes Jon Voight, Penelope Ann Miller, Mena Suvari, Kevin Dillon and more, covers Reagan’s entire life, including his early years, his time as the governor of California, and the support of his wife, Nancy Reagan, especially as he became the 40th President of the United States.

“I’ve always been told bits and pieces of the stories of Ronald Reagan’s life, but this movie puts the whole story together,” Quaid says. “I’ve played quite a few real people over the years, and I like to play them from their point of view, without judgment. It was a big challenge for me to get behind the public persona of the ma,n and also to move beyond my own feelings of admiration for him.”

In a recent interview, Quaid said he was thrilled to portray the man who he calls his “favorite President.”

“I did vote for Jimmy Carter in ’76, regretted it,” the 70-year-old told Fox News. “But in 1980 I voted for Ronald Reagan. My dad was a huge Reagan fan. And I voted for him and went home, and my roommate at that time – from Texas – he said, ‘Who’d you vote for?’ and I said, “Ronald Reagan.’ And he said, ‘You’re out of the hippies.’”

For Quaid, the REAGAN movie couldn’t have come at a better time than now, as the country faces another presidential election.

“Those times remind me very much of what’s going on today… Carter had his malaise speech,” Quaid shared. “The country had lost confidence in itself about who we are. We kind of accepted that we were a nation in decline. It was after Watergate, it was after Vietnam.”

In addition to being a talented actor, Quaid is also a gifted musician. The Texas native recently released Fallen: A Gospel Record For Sinners, a 12-track project of both original songs and hymns. Quaid’s own battle with addiction became the unlikely inspiration for the record.

“When you’re done with the addiction, you need something to fill that hole, something that really works, right?” Quaid reflected to People.

“I grew up at the Baptist church; I love the hymns that I remember from being a kid,” he continued. “The songs are self-reflective and self-examining, not churchy. All of us have a relationship with God, whether you’re a Christian or not.”

Watch the REAGAN trailer here. Learn more about the film at Reagan.Movie. Find all of Quaid’s music and upcoming shows by visiting his website.