Burt Reynolds 1936-2018

Burt Reynolds, actor and sex symbol of the 1970’s, has passed away at 82.

Born Burton Leon Reynolds Jr. in Lansing, Michigan, Reynolds had early aspirations to be a professional football player, and attended Florida State University on a scholarship, playing halfback. After a serious injury ended his athletic aspirations, he turned to acting. He made his television debut in the 1950’s and his first film debut in ANGEL BABY in 1961.

He used his television work to secure leading roles in low-budget films, and landed the lead in the Spaghetti Western NAVAJO JOE in 1966. He would land his breakout role in 1972 when John Boorman cast him as the macho, de facto leader of a doomed group of vacationing men in DELIVERANCE. That same year, he would appear half-nude in a Cosmopolitan magazine spread which would cement his status as a 1970’s sex symbol.

Five years later, he would land his most iconic role…as the bootlegging Bandit in Hal Needham’s SMOKEY IN THE BANDIT. Reynolds’ charm and charisma, and all-American mustache made him look like he was born to drive a Trans-Am, and his chemistry with co-stars Sally Field, Jackie Gleeson, and Jerry Reed sizzled off the screen. BANDIT would spawn two sequels, with Reynolds only making a cameo in the third film. His on-screen reputation as a fast driver landed him in cross-country driving roles such as HOOPER (1978), STROKER ACE (1983), and THE CANNONBALL RUN (1981). He would return to his football roots in THE LONGEST YARD (1974).

Other notable roles included SHARKEY’S MACHINE (1981), THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS (1982), STRIPTEASE (1996), and THE DUKES OF HAZZARD (2005). He would appear in Paul Thomas Anderson’s BOOGIE NIGHTS in 1997, and take home a Golden Globe win for Best Supporting Actor, and an Oscar nomination.

*

Burt Reynolds often said that he took roles just to have a good time, and that was something that could be seen on screen at all times. He always looked like he was having fun, and that made him and his characters easy to like. As a wee-lad in the 1970’s, one of this Blogger’s favorite Hot Wheels toys was a black Trans-Am, which I sent flying under the refrigerator many, many times…as my imagination, inspired by SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT, had The Bandit in an endless chase from those pesky cops. As Reynolds drives off for the last time, myself and those from my generation will remember him in that way; having a laugh, and driving free with the top down.