Burt Reynolds

Burt Reynolds
Name	Burt Reynolds
Caption	Reynolds in 1974
Birth name	Burton Leon Reynolds Jr.
Birth date	11 February 1936
Birth place	Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
Death date	6 September 2018
Death place	Jupiter, Florida, U.S.
Occupation	Actor, director
Years active	1958–2018
Spouse	Judy Carne (m. 1963; div. 1965), Loni Anderson (m. 1988; div. 1993)
Partner	Sally Field (1976–1980), Dinah Shore (1971–1975)
Alma mater	Florida State University

Burt Reynolds was an iconic American actor and director whose charismatic, mustachioed persona defined a major era of Hollywood cinema. Rising to fame in the 1970s, he became one of the world's biggest box office stars, known for his roles in action comedies and Southern-themed films that showcased his easygoing charm and physicality. His career spanned over five decades, earning him critical acclaim including a Golden Globe Award and nominations for an Academy Award and Primetime Emmy Award.

Early life and education

Burton Leon Reynolds Jr. was born in Lansing, Michigan, and moved to Palm Beach County, Florida, during his childhood. His father was a U.S. Army veteran and police chief, and Reynolds initially pursued a career in football, earning a scholarship to play for the Florida State Seminoles. A knee injury and a car accident ended his athletic aspirations, leading him to enroll at Florida State University where he studied English literature. He later attended Palm Beach Junior College and discovered acting in a class, subsequently winning the 1956 Florida State Drama Award which included a scholarship to the Hyde Park Playhouse in New York.

Career

Reynolds began his professional career on Broadway and in television series such as Gunsmoke and Hawk. His breakthrough film role was as Lewis Medlock in John Boorman's *Deliverance* (1972), which established his dramatic credentials. He then leveraged his persona into a string of hugely successful action comedies like The Longest Yard (1974), Smokey and the Bandit (1977) co-starring Sally Field and Jackie Gleason, and The Cannonball Run (1981). He also directed several films, including Gator (1976) and Sharky's Machine (1981). Later career highlights included a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his role in Paul Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights (1997) and a Critics' Choice Movie Award for his performance in The Last Movie Star (2017).

Personal life

Reynolds' personal life was a frequent subject of media attention. He was married twice, first to actress Judy Carne and later to Loni Anderson, with whom he adopted a son, Quinton. His high-profile relationships included long-term romances with singer Dinah Shore and actress Sally Field. He faced significant financial difficulties in the 1990s due to a costly divorce and business ventures. A lifelong resident of Florida, he owned a theatre and ranch in Jupiter and was a major benefactor to Florida Atlantic University, where the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film & Theatre is located. He died of a heart attack at a hospital in Jupiter in 2018.

Filmography

A prolific actor, Reynolds' filmography includes over 100 credits. Key films that defined his career are Deliverance (1972), The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing (1973), White Lightning (1973), W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings (1975), Nickelodeon (1976), Semi-Tough (1977), Hooper (1978), Starting Over (1979), and Stroker Ace (1983). His later notable work includes The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), City Heat (1984), Breaking In (1989), Cop and a Half (1993), and The Dukes of Hazzard (2005).

Awards and nominations

Reynolds received numerous accolades throughout his career. He won a Golden Globe for Boogie Nights and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for his television work on Evening Shade and The X-Files. Other honors include a People's Choice Award for Favorite Motion Picture Actor, a Satellite Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2016, he was awarded an Honorary César from the Académie des Arts et Techniques du Cinéma in France.

Legacy

Burt Reynolds remains an enduring symbol of 1970s and 1980s American pop culture, remembered for his trademark mustache, charismatic swagger, and the unique blend of toughness and comedy he brought to his roles. He is credited with popularizing the Southern good ol' boy archetype in mainstream cinema. His performance in Boogie Nights sparked a major career resurgence and introduced him to a new generation. His contributions to film are preserved in institutions like the Burt Reynolds Museum in Florida, and his influence is frequently cited by contemporary actors and filmmakers.

Category:American film actors Category:American television actors Category:People from Palm Beach County, Florida