Burt Reynolds
American actor and box-office star of the 1970s.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Burton Leon Reynolds Jr. (February 11, 1936 – September 6, 2018) was an American actor. He rose to fame with his breakthrough role in Deliverance (1972) and became a leading box-office star in the 1970s and early 1980s, known for films such as Smokey and the Bandit (1977) and The Longest Yard (1974). He later earned critical acclaim for his performance in Boogie Nights (1997).
- born
- February 11, 1936
- died
- September 6, 2018
- field
- Actor
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Deliverance, Smokey and the Bandit, Boogie Nights
Lore & Background
Burt Reynolds was born to Burton Milo Reynolds Sr. and Harriet Fernette Reynolds. He often said he was born in Waycross, Georgia, but stated in 2015 that he was actually born in Lansing, Michigan. His family moved frequently, settling in Riviera Beach, Florida, where his father became chief of police. Reynolds played football at Palm Beach High School and attended Florida State University on a scholarship, rooming with future coach Lee Corso. A knee injury and a serious car accident ended his football career.
Reynolds began acting after a junior college English teacher, Watson B. Duncan III, cast him in a play. He won a drama award that led to summer stock theater, where he met Joanne Woodward, who helped him find an agent. His early television work included Gunsmoke (1962–1965), Hawk (1966), and Dan August (1970–1971). His film breakthrough came as Lewis Medlock in Deliverance (1972).
Reynolds starred in a string of hit films including White Lightning (1973), The Longest Yard (1974), Smokey and the Bandit (1977), and Semi-Tough (1977). He was voted the world's number-one most bankable movie star from 1978 to 1982. After box-office failures, he returned to television with Evening Shade (1990–1994), winning a Golden Globe and an Emmy. His role in Boogie Nights (1997) earned him a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination.
Reader's Guide
Burt Reynolds was a dominant figure in American cinema during the 1970s and early 1980s, known for his leading roles in action-comedy films. His performance in Deliverance (1972) marked a critical breakthrough, and he subsequently headlined a series of commercially successful movies, including Smokey and the Bandit (1977), which began a seven-year box-office reign. Reynolds was named the world's top bankable movie star from 1978 to 1982, a five-year record he shared with Bing Crosby, Clint Eastwood, and Tom Hanks. His career later experienced a resurgence with the television series Evening Shade (1990–1994), for which he won a Golden Globe and a Primetime Emmy Award. His portrayal of Jack Horner in Boogie Nights (1997) brought renewed critical acclaim, earning him a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor and nominations for an Academy Award, a BAFTA, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Reynolds's legacy is that of a versatile actor who achieved both popular success and later critical recognition, navigating a career that spanned television, film, and theater.
Did You Know?
- Reynolds was voted the world's number-one most bankable movie star from 1978 to 1982.
- He won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Evening Shade.
- Reynolds roomed with future college football coach and broadcaster Lee Corso at Florida State University.
- He was critically injured in an automobile accident at age 19, suffering a ruptured spleen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Burt Reynolds?
Burt Reynolds was an American actor who became one of the biggest box-office draws of the 1970s and early 1980s. He is best remembered for his charismatic, good-looking leading-man roles in films like Smokey and the Bandit and The Longest Yard.
What was Burt Reynolds's breakthrough role?
Reynolds first gained major attention for his performance as a lawyer trapped on a river in the 1972 thriller Deliverance. That role launched him into mainstream stardom and set the stage for his string of hit comedies.
What are Burt Reynolds's most famous movies?
He is most associated with the buddy-comedy Smokey and the Bandit (1977), the sports-comedy The Longest Yard (1974), and the river-adventure Deliverance (1972). Later in his career, his role in Paul Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights (1997) earned him a new wave of critical respect.
When did Burt Reynolds die?
Reynolds passed away on September 6, 2018, at the age of 82. He had been in declining health in his final years.
Why is Burt Reynolds considered important to film history?
He defined the look and persona of the American leading man in the 1970s, turning charm and physical presence into a consistent box-office formula. His career also traces a rare arc from pure commercial stardom back to serious critical recognition, culminating in his Boogie Nights performance.
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