Zimbalist to Portray 6 U.S. Presidents

Donning the mantles of six U.S. presidents, actor Efrem Zimbalist Jr. will return to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library near Simi Valley on Sunday for a dramatic reading of presidential speeches.

Zimbalist, perhaps best known for his work on the TV show “The FBI” in the 1960s and ‘70s, will read excerpts from speeches by Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan in the 2 p.m. show.

The show’s author, Tony Thomas, also wrote a play performed last year at the Reagan library in which Zimbalist portrayed Gen. Douglas MacArthur after his retirement giving a campaign-season news conference.

“They’ve done a nice job of selecting speeches that focus on the characteristics of these individual presidents,” said Mark Hunt, director of the museum.

Zimbalist will also recreate parts of Reagan’s 1992 speech to the Republican National Convention.

Admission to the one-time performance is free with admission to the museum, but seating is limited to 400 and playgoers must call ahead for reservations. For more information, call (800) 410-8354.

The museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults, $2 for those 62 and older, and free for children 15 and younger.