Dennis Quaid Picks His Two Favorite Movies Starring Himself

Dennis Quaid has been in a lot of movies throughout his multi-decade career. While he is best known for his work in movies such as Far From Heaven and The Day After Tomorrow, Quaid’s acting career began back in the 1970s. His first role was as an uncredited Bellhop in Crazy Mama. He then played a tiny role in the film I Never Promised You a Rose Garden, before later rising to greater prominence with his part in the 1979 cycling film Breaking Away.

While he is still a working actor himself, Quaid’s legacy also lives on through his son, Jack. Jack Quaid had his first big role playing Hughie in the Prime Video comic book adaptation The Boys, and he is already having a big year in 2025 with Novocaine and Companion. As for Dennis Quaid, one of his recent roles includes a supporting part in 2024’s smash-hit horror film The Substance. Playing sly and corrupt executive Harvey, Quaid became a disturbing yet memorable part of the Best Picture nominee. Now, the actor picks his two favorite movies from his career.

Quaid Sets His Picks For His Two Favorite Movies Starring Himself

One Came Out In 2024

Quaid picks The Right Stuff and Reagan as his two favorites of his movies. The Right Stuff is based on the Tom Wolfe book of the same name, telling the story of the development of the U.S. space program. Quaid played Gordon Cooper in the acclaimed 1983 film, whose cast also included Sam Shepard, Ed Harris, Scott Glenn, and Fred Ward. Reagan saw Quaid play the тιтular former president in a biopic that chronicled the figure’s life from childhood to his time in office.

Speaking with Business Insider, Quaid reveals his two favorite movies in which he starred. In his interview, the actor was first asked to speak about his experience in 1983, when three of his movies came out: Tough Enough, Jaws 3D, and The Right Stuff. He then stated that The Right Stuff, “along with Reagan” were his “favorite movies [he’s] ever done.” Check out the full quote from Quaid below:

“Tough Enough” came out and went [points down]. Boom. Then “Jaws 3D” was No. 1 at the box office, but I was a little embarrᴀssed about it — not anymore. And “The Right Stuff,” I put all my marbles in that, and it came out, and it bombed. It made $2 million. It has since become a classic. That, along with “Reagan,” are my favorite movies that I’ve ever done, personally. But by the end of that year, it was a disappointment.

What This Means For Reagan & The Right Stuff

These Are Two Very Different Movies

Dennis Quaid as Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office in Reagan 2024

The Right Stuff and Reagan are a unique pairing of films to be Quaid’s career favorites because they are movies with starkly different reputations. Though it made $30.1 million at the box office and got a 98% Popcornmeter from audiences, Reagan was loathed by critics, who gave it an 18% Tomatometer. Nevertheless, Quaid remains one of its staunch supporters. The Right Stuff had the opposite effect, as Quaid addresses, making very little at the box office but receiving critical acclaim. Both films show that critics and audiences can often be at odds.

Source: Business Insider