I think the point of EyeGuy’s post was that Reagan was an actor in 1957. He later paid his dues over the next 23 years by taking a position of responsibility as governor, doing it well, and helping to build the party and get candidates elected.
1957 is the Bedtime for Bonzo age for Reagan. In today’s terms, that would equate to being a celebrity on a reality show.
Good thing California & later America didn’t listen to all the critics who called Reagan names & said he was unfit to lead.
Also around this time he was a registered Democrat and president of a Hollywood labor union. For most of his life even Reagan was no Reagan.