The Life and Times of Burt Reynolds
Burt Reynolds became a Hollywood legend in his own right with an acting career that spanned almost 60 years. Following his breakout role in 1972's Deliverance, he took on iconic parts in The Longest Yard, Smokey and the Bandit, and Boogie Nights.
Several major Hollywood actors owe it to Reynolds, who turned down roles that later made them stars in their own right. Keep on reading to learn more about his legendary career and what made him such an icon.
Burt Reynolds Originally Wanted to Be a Football Player
Burt Reynolds grew up in Michigan, before his family moved to Riviera Beach, Florida, during his teen years. He began playing football in 10th grade at Palm Beach High School, where he was named First Team All State and All Southern as a fullback.
Injuries Hindered His Success in Sports
Burt's talent took him to Florida State University on a football scholarship. His intentions of becoming a professional player were put to an end in 1957, when he decided to give up football after a crushing loss to North Carolina State.
His abilities to play were hindered by multiple injuries.
He Was Encouraged to Act By His Professor
Reynolds continued to pursue an education at Palm Beach Junior College, and it was there that he took an English class taught by Watson B. Duncan, who encouraged Reynolds to try out for a play that he was producing. Duncan wanted Reynolds to try out after hearing him read Shakespeare in class.
He wound up winning the Florida State Drama Award in 1956 for that performance. Reynolds cited Duncan as a mentor and the most influential person in his life.
He Soon Got Serious About Acting
Burt Reynolds was granted a scholarship to the Hyde Park Playhouse, a summer stock theater in New York. Even though he had no intentions of becoming an actor at that point, he took up the opportunity to get out of taking on summer jobs that were physically demanding.
While in New York, actress Joanne Woodward helped Reynolds find an agent, and he subsequently made his Broadway debut on Look, We've Come Through and even went on tour with the company.
Afterward, he began taking acting classes and was told he should move to Hollywood.
He Was Rejected From a Marlon Brando Film
One of the first movies Burt Reynolds auditioned for the 1957 flick, Sayonara. Unfortunately, he didn't end up snagging the part. Why? He was told he looked too much like the lead star - none other than Marlon Brando!
He Regretted Turning Down One Specific Role
Despite this initial rejection, Burt would get several offers over the course of his career - and there were plenty roles he turned down that he later regretted.
His biggest regret? Turning down a chance to play James Bond in 1969, telling producer Cubby Broccoli, "An American can't play James Bond. It just can't be done."
Burt Reynolds Had Enemies in Hollywood
Burt Reynolds was told he looked like Marlon Brando early on in his career, which may have even added to his admiration for the Hollywood heavyweight - but Brando hated him.
Brando threatened to drop out of The Godfather when Reynolds was considered for the role of Michael Corleone. He'd never met Reynolds, but still felt compelled to say at one point:
"He is the epitome of something that makes me want to throw up... He worships at the temple of his own narcissism."
'Smokey and the Bandit' Was Written By His Stunt Double
Smokey and the Bandit was ostensibly the most popular film in Reynolds' career, and while he may have been the star of the film, his connection to it goes even deeper. The script was created by Hollywood stuntman Hal Needham, who doubled for Reynolds.
He was working as Reynolds' stunt double on the set of 1976's Gator when he got the idea. He noticed his Coors beer brought in from California kept getting stolen from his fridge.
'Smokey and the Bandit' Briefly Outsold 'Star Wars'
Smokey and the Bandit was a huge hit when it came out on 1977. In fact, it was so huge that it was the only film in history to outsell Star Wars, which came out six days later.
The first week after both premiered, Smokey and the Bandit cashed in at $1.7 million, while Star Wars only brought in $1.6 million. That being said, it wasn't long before the latter overtook Reynolds' flick.
Reynolds Had the Chance to Play Han Solo
While it's impossible to imagine anyone other than Harrison Ford playing Han Solo, there was a short window where things could've been different. In fact, before Ford was even cast, Star Wars producers offered the part of Han Solo to Burt Reynolds.
Reynolds turned down the role.
Could He Have Won an Oscar?
Burt Reynolds never managed to actually win an Oscar, but he might have, if not for the fact he turned down the lead role in 1983's Terms of Endearment. He chose to do Stroker Ace at the time, so the role went to Jack Nicholson, who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
Reynolds later said of the role, "I regret that one most of all because it was a real acting part. I wish I would have done it, and thinking back now, it was really a stupid decision, but I made a lot of stupid decisions in that period."
He Dished That Cary Grant Was Cheap
Burt Reynolds was close to a lot of Hollywood's greatest, including Cary Grant. He appreciated the way the actor was self-made, which makes sense, since he was essentially the same. It is important to never understate how much hard work can make a difference in a person's life.
He Almost Lost His Life on Set
During the 1980s, Reynolds lost so much weight that fans speculated he'd contracted AIDS. In actually, he'd been struck in the face with a metal chair while filming 1984's City Heat and broke his jaw
For a while, he was unable to eat solid foods, which explained the weight loss. He'd subsequently suffer from TMJ for the rest of his life.
Reynolds Wasn't Having It With Marc Summers
One of the more memorable moments in Burt's life was when he got into a pie fight with television host Marc Summers on a 1994 episode of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. During the segment, the actor gets visibly irritated with Summers for turning his back on him, and after Summers took a jab at his divorce, Reynolds wasn't having it.
He Once Opened a Nightclub
Burt Reynolds began looking into other business ventures in the late 1970s, when he opened an Atlanta nightclub called Burt's Place at the Omni International Hotel. A second location at Lenox Square opened for a brief moment before he pulled the plug on it.
He Never Watched the Remake of 'The Longest Yard'
The Longest Yardis one of Burt Reynolds' most memorable films. Just over 30 years later, he starred in the film's remake, alongside Adam Sandler. In the newer version, Reynolds played the coach, while Sandler took on the role of Paul Crewe.
However, Reynolds' admitted he never cared for the remake.
Re-Entering the Hospitality Space
In 1984, Burt re-entered the hospitality scene with Burt and Jack's, a restaurant located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, that he co-owned with restaurateur, Jack Jackson.
The establishment was open for nearly two decades.
Burt Reynolds Passed Away at 82 Years Old
The world received the sad announcement of Burt Reynolds passing in 2018. He'd suffered from heart problems later in life and eventually wound up at the Jupiter Medical Center in Florida, where cardiopulmonary arrest took his life.
He's survived by his adopted son, Quinton Anderson Reynolds, who entered his life during his first year of marriage with ex-wife ,Loni Anderson.
Nadine Blanco
