Final answer:
Ronald Reagan, initially a Hollywood actor and later the President of the Screen Actors Guild, became governor of California in 1966 after shifting from liberal to conservative views. He endorsed Barry Goldwater in 1964, catapulting his political journey which was marked by a balance between conservative principles and pragmatic governance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Hollywood actor and future president who became governor of California as a result of conservative backlash in response to Johnson's "Great Society" policies was Ronald Reagan. Reagan had been a prominent actor and served as President of the Screen Actors Guild. After endorsing conservative presidential candidate Barry Goldwater in 1964, his political career propelled forward, leading to his election as Governor of California in 1966.
Reagan's political views had shifted from liberal to conservative by the time he ran for governor, capitalizing on the public's growing concern over governmental expansion and the social unrest of the 1960s. Though he once identified politically as a liberal Democrat, his views evolved due to factors such as his opposition to communism and the influence of social conservative values.
As governor, Reagan faced the challenge of balancing his conservative rhetoric with the practicalities of governing a diverse and complex state. Despite his criticisms of "big government", he ultimately presided over significant budget increases and approved tax hikes when necessary, demonstrating his adeptness at political compromise.