They won one for the Gipper!
The 2024 biopic “Reagan” has been awarded Best Western Film–Drama at the Will Rogers Medallion Award Ceremony — after the popular film got snubbed by the Academy of Motion Pictures for Best Picture Oscar over DEI requirements.
“We are deeply honored by this recognition from the Will Rogers Medallion Awards,” said Mark Joseph, who produced the movie that featured Dennis Quaid as President Ronald Reagan.
“To be celebrated in this way is a meaningful affirmation of our cast, crew, and the enduring resonance of Reagan’s legacy in American culture and especially the West.”
The Will Rogers Medallion Awards celebrate excellence across literature, film and songwriting that reflect the heritage and values of the American West, and entertainer Will Rogers.
The ceremony and other events were held in Rogers’ hometown of Claremore and neighboring Tulsa.
The Reagan film, which depicts the life and legacy of the 40th president, was popular with moviegoers but wasn’t up for consideration for Best Picture Oscar from the Academy of Motion Pictures because it failed to meet the judges’ DEI requirements.
Movieguide and the Dove Awards rated Reagan as among the best films of 2024 while also receiving a nomination by the Razzies and the Internet Film Criticism Society as among the worst flicks of the year.
The film has the largest gap in history between film critics and moviegoers at Rotten Tomatoes, scoring a sky high 98 with moviegoers but only 18 from critics.
Reagan was directed by Sean McNamara and stars Quaid, alongside Penelope Ann Miller, Jon Voight, Kevin Dillon, and Mena Suvari.
The biopic traces Reagan’s life from Midwestern farm boy to Hollywood actor to governor to president of the US.
Reagan earned the nickname “the Gipper” for his first big role as an actor portraying gravely ill football player George Gipp in the 1940 film classic “Knute Rockne, All American.” Gipp was in his hospital bed, when he asked coach Knute Rockne to have the team “Win just one for the Gipper.”
