Ronald Reagan's daughter, Patti Davis, does not like the idea of Will Ferrell portraying her late father and feature his Alzheimer in an upcoming comedy. Ferrell, who has also played as President George W. Bush in skits, was to star in "Reagan" with a script penned by Mike Rosolio and was to be produced through Ferrell's production banner, Gary Sanchez Productions.
"Perhaps you would like to explain to dementia sufferers how this disease is suitable material for a comedy," Davis stated in an open letter to Ferrell on her blog dated April 28, Thursday. "Perhaps you have managed to retain some ignorance about Alzheimer's and other versions of dementia." She added that if Ferrell knows more, he would not find the illness funny.
The former United States president's daughter wrote that she does not see humor when her father suffered dementia. She watched her father, the man who was never afraid of anything, invaded by fear, his voice trembling as he stood in the living room and not knowing where he was. She watched him helplessly as he tried to recall memories, which were moving farther away from him.
Davis suggested that Ferrell visit a facility for dementia to research about his upcoming role and she does not find humor in dementia and hope that as a decent man, he would not either. She is running Beyond Alzheimer, a support group for family members of those with dementia.
In addition, Davis said when she sees their haunted eyes, she remembers her own when her father was sick. She added that the only sure thing with Alzheimer's is the disease wins in the end.
Ferrell had already a change of heart about the Reagan movie. He has backed out of the comedy, his representative told Page Six on April 29, Friday. The rep did not say if the decision was affected by the outcry of Reagan's daughter.
Alzheimer's is terrifying to the families of those who have it, as they have to live with fear, terror and grief every day, Davis told the online magazine. She called the movie cruel to dementia patients and their families.
Davis welcomed Ferrell's decision to ditch the project. Relieved, she said she cannot imagine anybody else would take it, she told the news site. The video clip below announces Ferrel being under fire for the upcoming Reagan movie: