Burt Reynolds, star of ‘Smokey and the Bandit,’ dies at Florida hospital at 82
Sep 6, 2018, 12:01 PM | Updated: 1:22 pm
FILE - In this March 12, 2016 file photo, actor Burt Reynolds appears at the world premiere of "The Bandit" during the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas. Reynolds, who starred in films including "Deliverance," "Boogie Nights," and the "Smokey and the Bandit" films, died at age 82, according to his agent. (Photo by Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP, File)
(Photo by Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP, File)
For decades, Burt Reynolds graced both the big and small screens in iconic roles such as Quint in the 1955 Western drama “Gunsmoke,” truck driver Bo “Bandit” Darville in the 1977 film “Smokey and the Bandit” and porn director Jack Horner in the 1997 film “Boogie Nights.”
But on Thursday his long-running acting career came to an end, when the Michigan-born actor died in a Florida hospital at the age of 82.
His death was confirmed Thursday by his agent Todd Eisner, who did not immediately have further details.
BREAKING: Burt Reynolds, who starred in films including 'Deliverance' and 'Boogie Nights,' has died at age 82, according to agent.
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 6, 2018
According to TMZ, Reynolds died of a heart attack. His family was by his side when he passed.
Many actors, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, tweeted their condolences to the actor’s family shortly after learning about his passing.
Burt Reynolds was one of my heroes. He was a trailblazer. He showed the way to transition from being an athlete to being the highest paid actor, and he always inspired me. He also had a great sense of humor – check out his Tonight Show clips. My thoughts are with his family.
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) September 6, 2018
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) September 6, 2018
Very sad to hearing about the passing of Burt Reynolds. He was a great actor, a philanthropist and a pioneer of the cool mustache. Thank you, Burt. You will be missed. pic.twitter.com/nuuFWMSnJg
— Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) September 6, 2018
RIP Burt Reynolds. Seems his whole career was tongue in cheek. Always warm and funny.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) September 6, 2018
Sending my love to Burt Reynolds’ family. May he rest in peace. He was one of my Dad’s favorites. He brought a lot of joy into our lives.
— Angela Kinsey (@AngelaKinsey) September 6, 2018
Burt Reynolds and my dad were close friends. BR gave my dad this FSU leather jacket around 95. The day I committed to The #Canes, @walterpayton came home, grab the jacket & said “time to get rid of this.” RIP BR 🙌🏽 pic.twitter.com/M9fsQDxg5h
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) September 6, 2018
Despite his long-running acting career — with more than 180 acting credits, in addition to his time as a director, producer, writer and more roles — he was only ever nominated for an Academy Award once, for his role in “Boogie Nights.”
But Reynolds racked up the wins and nominations for the Golden Globes, most notably for his roles in “Boogie Nights” and the 1990 comedy television series “Evening Shade.”
However, his run at the big screen did not always come with success: Reynolds won twice and was nominated six times for a Golden Raspberry Award, a mock award to recognize the worst in film.
His personal life also provided ongoing drama, particularly after an acrimonious divorce from Loni Anderson in 1995. He had a troubled marriage to Judy Carne, a romance with Dinah Shore and a relationship with Sally Field damaged by his acknowledged jealousy of her success.
Through it all he presented a genial persona, often the first to make fun of his own conflicted image.
“My career is not like a regular chart, mine looks like a heart attack,” he told The Associated Press in 2001.
“I’ve done over 100 films, and I’m the only actor who has been canned by all three networks. I epitomize longevity.”
Reynolds was candid about his flops, his regrets and about his many famous friends.
He would call posing nude for Cosmopolitan one of his biggest mistakes because it undermined the respect he had gained for “Deliverance.” He revered Spencer Tracy as an early mentor and came to know Johnny Carson, Clint Eastwood, Frank Sinatra and many others.
Despite some hiccups on and off the screen, Reynolds continued to have a successful acting career.
He will star in the 2018 comedy “Defining Moments” and was filming “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood” at the time of his death. The drama, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie, was set to come out in 2019.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
