Michael Reagan

Michael Reagan – Life, Career, and Thought

Discover the life of Michael Reagan — American radio host, political commentator, adopted son of President Reagan. Learn about his upbringing, career path, writings, and notable views.

Introduction

Michael Reagan (born March 18, 1945) is an American media personality, political commentator, author, and former radio host. Though best known as the adopted son of President Ronald Reagan and actress Jane Wyman, Michael has built his own public profile through radio, writing, and political commentary. His life touches on questions of identity, media, and the intersections between family legacy and individual voice.

Early Life and Family

Michael Edward Reagan was born John Charles Flaugher on March 18, 1945, in Los Angeles, California. His biological mother was Essie Irene Flaugher, who was unmarried at the time; his biological father is recorded as John Bourgholtzer.

Shortly after his birth, he was adopted by Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman, who were married at the time. Growing up under the Reagan name and in the orbit of public life would later influence much of his identity and public role.

Michael had a somewhat uneven school career:

• He was expelled from Loyola High School after a short period.

• He later graduated in 1964 from The Judson School, a boarding school near Scottsdale, Arizona.

• He briefly attended Arizona State University and Los Angeles Valley College, but did not earn a degree.

Michael Reagan’s upbringing, especially adoption into a high-profile family, shaped both opportunities and challenges in his later life.

Career & Public Work

Early Work & Business Roles

Before entering media, Michael Reagan held various jobs:

• He worked as a salesman, including for a clothing company, and later with the Michaelson Food Service Company in Los Angeles.

• In 1981, he took a position as a salesman for Industrial Circuits, a company that made printed circuit boards.

• In the 1980s he also dabbled in acting, taking small roles on television shows like Falcon Crest (which featured his adoptive mother Jane Wyman) and other appearances.

Media: Radio, TV, Hosting

Michael’s more public-facing roles are in broadcasting and commentary:

• He began in talk radio as a guest host on KABC in Los Angeles, filling in for radio commentator Michael Jackson (not the singer) in that slot.

• He later landed a spot on KSDO in San Diego as a radio host.

• For many years, he hosted The Michael Reagan Show, a nationally syndicated talk radio program.

• In 1987, he served as the host of the game show Lingo (for its first season).

Over time, he shifted part of his focus from radio toward writing, speaking engagements, and commentary, especially related to his father’s legacy.

Writing & Advocacy

Michael has authored several books and commentary pieces, often reflecting on adoption, family, identity, and conservative politics:

• In 1988 he published Michael Reagan: On the Outside Looking In, with Joe Hyams — his autobiography.

• Later he wrote Twice Adopted, which discusses his feelings about adoption, rejection, and identity within the Reagan family.

• He has also been active as a public speaker (e.g. through the Reagan Legacy Foundation) and commentator, writing op-eds and columns, and preserving or promoting Ronald Reagan’s political and cultural legacy.

He has been involved in several organizations tied to the Reagan name and memory, and appears in media to comment on public and political issues.

Controversies & Legal Matters

Michael Reagan’s public life has not been free of controversy:

• In 1981, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office examined allegations of violations of securities laws. The charges included claims that he had solicited investors improperly and misused funds. Ultimately, he was cleared of those charges that same year.

• In 2012, a lawsuit was filed alleging that Reagan and partners withheld a partner’s interest in an email business connected to the