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Burton Leon Reynolds Jr. was born on February 11, 1936 in Lansing, Michigan. As a teenager, Reynolds demonstrated an aptitude for sports. He later attended Florida State University on a football scholarship. However, a serious injury ended any chance of a career as a professional footballer. Instead, Reynolds turned to drama.
The budding thespian won a scholarship to the Hyde Park Playhouse in New York. He triumphed on Broadway in a revival of Mister Roberts and subsequently signed a television contract. Bit parts led to Reynolds' big break in 1959, a lead role on the Western series 'Riverboat' alongside Darren McGavin.
Reynolds later quit 'Riverboat' and returned to guest-starring on various television shows. He also briefly appeared back on stage in New York. In 1962, he was cast as Quint Asper in 'Gunsmoke,' a role he held until 1965.
In 1965, Burt Reynolds took top billing in the low-budget action film 'Operation C.I.A.' portraying secret agent Mark Andrews. Filming locations included Bangkok in Thailand.
Soon afterwards, Reynolds was seen back on the small screen, this time playing Native American detective John Hawk in the short-lived crime drama series 'Hawk.'
It was good buddy Clint Eastwood that suggested Reynolds should accept the lead role in the spaghetti Western 'Navajo Joe.' Unfortunately, both actors thought the film was being directed by Sergio Leone, with whom Eastwood had enjoyed so much success with. Instead, it was Sergio Corbucci at the helm, and the picture, which required Reynolds to wear a wig, was savaged by critics and quickly disappeared.
Burt Reynolds seen during 49th Annual Golden Globe Awards with his Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy accolade for 'Evening Shade.'
A return to television rescued the actor's by now floundering career. His lead role in 'Evening Shade' (1990–1994) alongside Marilu Henner earned him a well-deserved Golden Globe.
'Evening Shade' also garnered Reynolds a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
While he missed out on an Oscar, Reynolds did win a Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe. He was also nominated for a BAFTA, and picked up several other accolades for his efforts. 'Boogie Nights' marked a return to form for Burt Reynolds, and for the next 15 years or so he enjoyed lead and supporting roles in numerous film and television productions. He also returned to directing, and lent his voice to Avery Carrington in 'Grand Theft Auto: Vice City,' released in 2002.
Apparently unperturbed, Reynolds made a series of Westerns in quick succession, none of which made much impact at the box office, or appeased critics. But they did help establish Burt Reynolds' on-screen persona as a brash, sometimes arrogant, but loveable rogue. He turned to light comedy in 'Sam Whisky,' a genre that would serve him well in the 1970s.
Reynolds' next film appearance is regarded as his breakout role, that of Lewis Medlock in John Boorman's seminal survival thriller 'Deliverance.'
A critical and commercial success, 'Deliverance' is widely acclaimed as a landmark picture, noted for its 'Dueling Banjos' music scene, the notorious assault on Ned Beatty's character Bobby Trippe, and some truly breathtaking white water sequences. Reynolds is pictured with costar John Voight discussing a take with director John Boorman.
As the new decade loomed, the small screen once again beckoned. Reynolds played the title character in the police drama 'Dan August,' but, once again, it was a short-lived experience. Meanwhile, the actor was doing the talk show rounds, and gained notoriety for posing naked in the April 1972 issue of Cosmopolitan.
With 'Deliverance,' Reynolds had sealed his reputation as a handsome all-action hero. But he found his forte in 1973's 'White Lightening,' a light-hearted care-chase picture that perfectly suited his acting style.
By the end of 1973, Burt Reynolds was voted into the list of the 10 most popular box-office stars in the US, an honor he'd enjoy until 1984. He's pictured in 1973 with Michael Caine and his wife Shakira at the premiere of the James Bond film 'Live and Let Die.' Ironically, Bond producer Albert R. Broccoli once asked Reynolds to take over the role of 007 from Sean Connery. Reynolds declined, believing the character could only be portrayed by a British actor.
In a role that no doubt reminded him of his sporting youth, Reynolds took to the field as gridiron footballer Paul "Wrecking" Crewe in 'The Longest Yard,' a prison sports comedy film directed by Robert Aldrich. The movie proved popular with audiences.
The mid-1970s saw Reynolds at the peak of his career. 'W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings' took him back on the road in an enjoyable car-chase romp that again motored all the way to the box office.
'Hustle' allowed the actor to display a darker, grittier persona as a Los Angeles police detective tasked with investigating the suspicious circumstances of a young women's death. French actress Catherine Deneuve lent the movie additional kudos as a call girl who becomes involved with the case, and the cop leading it.
Early on in his career, Reynolds had expressed interest in directing a picture. He got his chance with 'Gator,' in which he also starred. He would go on to direct a further four pictures.
In 1977, Burt Reynolds had the biggest hit of his career with 'Smokey and the Bandit,' which continued down the hugely successful car-chase road. It was while making the film that he met Sally Field. The two began a relationship shortly afterwards.
Reynolds' relationship with Sally Field lasted from 1976 until 1982, during which they appeared together in four films, including 'Smokey and the Bandit II' (1980).
'Hooper' was another film that paired Reynolds with Field. In this picture, the actor plays an aging stuntman who insists he still has what it takes, even while younger and fitter men are snapping at his feet.
Two car films, the aforementioned 'Smokey and the Bandit II' (1980) and 'The Cannonball Run' (pictured), heralded the 1980s. Reynolds' box-office status was still being driven in the right direction.
In fact, 1981 proved busy, with Reynolds following 'The Cannonball Run' with the neo-noir action thriller 'Sharky's Machine,' which he also directed. He's pictured at the film's world premiere in Atlanta in December of that year.
Even his pairing with Clint Eastwood for 'City Heat' couldn't reverse the decline in Reynolds' popularity. What should have been a certified hit disappointed at the box office and garnered lackluster reviews.
Reynolds appeared in several largely forgettable pictures throughout the 1980s, the one exception being the critically-lauded 'Breaking In.' Directed by Bill Forysth and costarring Casey Siemaszko and Lorraine Toussaint, it's a cleverly-made crime comedy about how professional small-time crooks live and practice their trades.
When 'Evening Shade' ended, Reynolds returned to the big screen, without much success. But then he was offered the role of adult film director Jack Horner in 'Boogie Nights.' For his efforts, Reynolds was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
In an affectionate nod towards his car-chase movie heyday, Reynolds portrayed Boss Hogg in 'The Dukes of Hazzard,' based on the popular television series of the same name.
One of Burt Reynolds' last public appearances was in March 2018 to promote the premiere of the aptly titled 'The Last Movie Star' in Hollywood, California. On September 16, 2018, Burt Reynolds passed away, aged 82.
Sources: (BBC) (Variety) (Los Angeles Times)
See also: Action stars: where are they now?
Burt Reynolds was married twice, to English actress Judy Carne from 1963 to 1965, and to Loni Anderson (pictured) from 1988 to 1994. The couple adopted a son, Quinton. Their ugly divorce was played out in open court, and kept the tabloid press fed with gossip for weeks. Incredibly, it took 22 years for the by-then-resentful couple to sever financial ties completely.
While a familiar face on television, Reynolds was yet to break into cinema, even though he had in fact made his feature film debut in 1961's 'Angel Baby.' It was only after 'Gunsmoke' that he secured his first lead role in a movie.
The release of 'Best Friends' in 1982, which costars Goldie Hawn, saw Reynolds as the most popular star in the US for the fifth year in a row. But by the following year, his star had begun to dim.
Immediately afterwards he appeared in the action comedy 'Fuzz' with Yul Brynner and Raquel Welch. His infamous pose in Cosmopolitan was even recreated on the film's movie poster.
Burt Reynolds was one of cinema's most popular actors. He rose to prominence in television before successfully transitioning to the big screen, his breakout role in 1972's 'Deliverance' regarded as one of his finest performances. Reynolds, however, is best known for his light-hearted car-chase movies, pictures such as 'Smokey and the Bandit' (1977) and 'The Cannonball Run' (1981). In later life he returned to the small screen where he garnered Emmy and Golden Globe awards for his work on 'Evening Shade.'
Burt Reynolds died in 2018, and is fondly remembered as the guy who never took himself too seriously, but nevertheless won the respect and affection of his peers in film, television, and on stage.
Click through for an appreciation of the life and work of Burt Reynolds.
Burt Reynolds: an appreciation of his life and work
The iconic movie was born on February 11, 1936
CELEBRITY Retrospective
Burt Reynolds was one of cinema's most popular actors. He rose to prominence in television before successfully transitioning to the big screen, his breakout role in 1972's 'Deliverance' regarded as one of his finest performances. Reynolds, however, is best known for his light-hearted car-chase movies, pictures such as 'Smokey and the Bandit' (1977) and 'The Cannonball Run' (1981). In later life he returned to the small screen where he garnered Emmy and Golden Globe awards for his work on 'Evening Shade.'
Burt Reynolds died in 2018, and is fondly remembered as the guy who never took himself too seriously, but nevertheless won the respect and affection of his peers in film, television, and on stage.
Click through for an appreciation of the life and work of Burt Reynolds.