skip to main content

Tributes paid to Hollywood legend Burt Reynolds

Updated / Friday, 7 Sep 2018 08:01

Tributes have been paid to the actor Burt Reynolds, who has died at the age of 82.

The Oscar-nominated star, acclaimed for his roles in films such as Deliverance, The Longest Yard and Boogie Nights, passed away at Jupiter Medical hospital in Florida after suffering a heart attack.

The actor, born in Michigan in 1936, first rose to prominence starring in television series such as Gunsmoke in the '60s and Dan August in the '70s.

His breakthrough film role was in John Boorman's classic thriller Deliverance in 1972, in which he played survivalist Lewis Medlock.

Burt Reynolds made his breakthrough in movies in the 1972 thriller Deliverance

Take a look at Burt Reynolds' life and career in pictures here.

Throughout the 1970s, Reynolds played the leading role in a string of box office hits, including The Longest Yard (1974) Smokey and the Bandit (1977) and Hooper (1978).

His box office streak continued from 1978 until 1982, where he was the top-grossing star in Hollywood for four years running.

He made his directorial debut with 1976 action film Gator and 1978’s black comedy The End.

Burt Reynolds in the car from Smoky and the Bandit; circa 1970

After a string of box office failures, Reynolds rejuvenated his career with the CBS sitcom Evening Shade, which he starred in from 1990-1994.

In 1991, he was awarded an Emmy for best actor in a comedy series for his portrayal of leading character Woodrow "Wood" Newton.

Reynolds was nominated for a best supporting actor Oscar for his role as an adult filmmaker in Paul Thomas Anderson's drama Boogie Nights in 1997.

Although he won a best supporting actor Golden Globe award for the film, he lost out on the Academy Award to Robin Williams for Good Will Hunting.

Burt Reynolds and the cast of Boogie Nights pictured in 1997

Reynolds was also famous for roles he had turned down throughout his career, having passed on playing screen icons James Bond and Han Solo.

The movie star admitted in his 2015 memoir, But Enough About Me, that he was more interested in enjoying himself than pushing himself as an actor.

"I didn't open myself to new writers or risky parts because I wasn't interested in challenging myself as an actor. I was interested in having a good time", he wrote.

"As a result, I missed a lot of opportunities to show I could play serious roles. By the time I finally woke up and tried to get it right, nobody would give me a chance."

The actor had been battling health issues in recent years.

In February 2010, he underwent a quintuple heart bypass but he had been working until recently.

In the past few months, Reynolds was cast in Quentin Tarantino's film about the Charles Manson murders, Once Upon A Time in Hollywood, which is currently in production.

Quentin Tarantino recently cast Burt Reynolds in his new film Once Upon A Time in Hollywood

The actor was married to comedienne Judy Carne from 1963 to 1965 and to actress Loni Anderson from 1988 to 1993.

He is survived by his son Quinton, whom he adopted with his second wife Anderson.

We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences

His niece, Nancy Lee Hess, released a statement to The Hollywood Reporter which read: "My uncle was not just a movie icon; he was a generous, passionate and sensitive man who was dedicated to his family, friends, fans and acting students.

"He has had health issues, however, this was totally unexpected. He was tough. Anyone who breaks their tailbone on a river and finishes the movie is tough. And that’s who he was. My uncle was looking forward to working with Quentin Tarantino [In Once Upon a Time in Hollywood] and the amazing cast that was assembled."

Since the news of his death broke, tributes to the late actor have been flooding in on Twitter.

Arnold Schwarzenegger said Reynolds was one of his "heroes", adding that he was a "trailblazer" with "a great sense of humour".

His Boogie Nights co-star Mark Wahlberg called Reynolds "a legend and a friend".

Sylvester Stallone posted a picture of himself and Reynolds on Instagram saying it was "a sad day".

"He had a great sense of humor and I enjoyed his company so much... RIP", Stallone wrote.

Actor Paul Wesley said Reynolds was "one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever worked with".

Comedian Patton Oswalt shared an amusing anecdote about the famously quick-witted actor.

Actor James Woods, who worked alongside Reynolds in the action film End Game, recalled his "wry humour" and "warm heart".

Take a look at more tributes to the much-loved actor below.

More stories on

Read Next