Burt Reynolds
A nice B/w 8x10 head and shoulders shot of Reynlds signed in red ink.
Enduring, strong featured and genial star of US cinema who started off in TV westerns in the 1960s, and then carved his name into 1970/80s popular culture as a male sex symbol (posing near naked for "Cosmopolitan" magazine), and onscreen as both a rugged action figure, and then as a wise cracking, Southern type "good ole' boy".
Handsome Reynolds originally hailed from Waycross, Georgia before moving to Florida where he excelled as an accomplished athlete who played with Florida State University, became an All Star Southern Conference half back (and was ear marked by the Baltimore Colts) before a knee injury and a car accident ended his football career. Midway through college, he dropped out and headed to New York with aspirations of becoming an actor where he worked in restaurants and clubs whilst pulling the odd TV spot or theatre role.
He was spotted in an NYC production of "Mister Roberts" and signed to a TV contract and appeared in TV shows including "Gunsmoke" (1955), "Riverboat" (1959) & "Hawk" (1966).
Reynolds continued to appear in non-demanding western roles , often playing an Indian half breed in films such as Navajo Joe (1966) , 100 Rifles (1969) and Sam Whiskey (1969). However, it was his tough guy performance as macho "Lewis Medlock" in the John Boorman backwoods nightmare Deliverance (1972), that really stamped him as a bonafide star.
His popularity continued to climb higher with his appearance as a no nonsense private investigator in Shamus (1973) and in the Woody Allen comedy Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex * But Were Afraid to Ask (1972). Building further on his image as a Southern boy who out smarts the local lawmen, Reynolds packed fans into theatres to see him star in White Lightning (1973), The Longest Yard (1974), W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings (1975)_ and Gator (1976).
At this time, ex-stuntman and longtime Reynolds buddy, Hal Needham came to Burt with a "road film" script that they shot as the incredibly popular Smokey and the Bandit (1977) with Sally Field & Jerry Reed, which took over $100 million at the box office. The success of the first film was followed up with Smokey and the Bandit II (1980) and Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 (1983). Reynolds also appeared alongside Kris Kristofferson in the hit football film Semi-Tough (1977), with friend Dom DeLuise in the black comedy _End, The (1978), in the stunt laden buddy film _Hooper (1980)_ , and then in the self indulgent, star packed road race flick The Cannonball Run (1981).
The early 1980s started off well with a strong performance in the violent cop film Sharky's Machine (1981) which he also directed, plus starring with Dolly Parton in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982) and with fellow macho superstar Clint Eastwood in the cooly received City Heat (1984). However, other film projects such as Stroker Ace (1983), Stick (1985) and Paternity (1981) failed to fire with fans and he quickly found himself falling out of popularity with movie audiences. In the late 1980s he appeared in only a handful of below average films, before his old friend television came to the rescue and Burt shone again in two very popular TV shows, "B.L. Stryker" (1989) and "Evening Shade" (1990), for which he won an Emmy.
He was back on screen, but still the film roles weren't grabbing the publics attention, until his terrific performance as a drunken politician in the otherwise woeful Striptease (1996) and then another tremendous showing as a manipulative adult film director in Boogie Nights (1997) which scored him a Best Supporting Actor nomination. Like the Phoenix from the ashes, Burt had resurrected his popularity, and in the process had scored a new generation of young fans, many of whom had been unfamiliar with his 1970s film roles. His acting talents were back in demand too, and he put in entertaining work in Pups (1999), Mystery, Alaska (1999), Driven (2001) and Time of the Wolf (2002). Definitely one of Hollywood's most resilient stars, Reynolds has continually surprised all with his ability to weather both personal & career hurdles, and his forty plus years in front of the cameras is testament to his staying ability, his acting talent and his appeal to film audiences.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMDb mini-biography by
firehouse44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spouse
Loni Anderson (29 April 1988 - 1993) (divorced) 1 child
Judy Carne (28 June 1963 - 1965) (divorced)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trivia
Attended Florida State University on a football scholarship, but only played in two seasons. He was a star running back. His college football career was ended by a knee injury.
Was drafted by the Baltimore Colts.
In 1968, Burt Reynolds tested for a role in the horror film Rosemary's Baby (1968), but Roman Polanski ended up casting John Cassavetes for the part.
When Francis Ford Coppola decided to make a project about the life of the famous Preston Tucker, he wanted Burt Reynolds to play Tucker.They discussed a lot about the movie and maked plans, but the film never got made, untill 1988, this time with Jeff Bridges with the role. Burt Reynolds only got Lewis Medlock's role in Deliverance (1972) after the stars who were originally choosen to play the lead, such as Marlon Brando, Henry Fonda and 'James Stewart' declined the part, after they heard about the risks of the Chatooga River.
Despised Boogie Nights (1997) so much, he fired his agent immediately after viewing a screening of the film. This was before the critical raves after the New York Film Festival occured. He was then convinced by Paul Thomas Anderson to promote the film on a radio tour, and was further enraged at Anderson's behavior -- constantly not letting Reynolds speak. Reynolds pointedly refused to participate in Anderson's next project, Magnolia (1999).
Refused the role that earned Jack Nicholson an Oscar in Terms of Endearment (1983). To this day, Reynolds comments that this was one of his most terrible mistakes. He has also refused the part of James Bond, during the seventies, and he also refused the role Kevin Kline played in Soapdish (1991), with Sally Field, because his then wife, Loni Anderson, told him that the whole Hollywood would laugh at her (Reynolds and Field once had a very publicized love affair).
During the mid-eighties, Burt Reynolds tried to make a comeback with Heat (1985), written by William Goldman. He hoped the movie (directed by Robert Altman) would mark a new phase in his career. Unfortunately, Altman had an intercaltion with producer Eliot Kastner and he left the project. The movie ended up being a box office failure.
Mentioned in the theme song of the pilot version (4 Nov 1981) of the 1980s TV hit "The Fall Guy".
Was the first actor ever asked to guest-host "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson." Prior to Reynolds, only comedians had been invited. His first guest? Ex-wife Judy Carne, whom he hadn't spoken to in over six years after a very bitter divorce.
Was seriously involved with actress Inger Stevens shortly before her suicide in 1970. Has to this day respectfully refused to discuss the relationship.
Member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity
Had a relationship with Sally Field for many years, but she refused his numerous proposals, and they eventually broke up.
Turned down the role of John McClane in "Die Hard". The role went to Bruce Willis.
Graduate of Palm Beach High School, Palm Beach, Florida, Class of 1954.
Hit #88 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1980 with the song 'Let's Do SOmething Cheap and Superficial' from the film 'Smokey and the Bandit II'
He had a long love affair with Dinah Shore
His father was of Irish-Cherokee Indian descent, his mother was of Italian descent.
Was named the #1 top money-making star at the box office in Quigley Publications annual poll of movie exhibitors for five consecutive years from 1978 to 1982, equaling the record set by Bing Crosby from 1944 to 1948. Only Tom Cruise, who was named #1 six times between 1986 and 2001, has won more box office crowns. Both Clint Eastwood and Tom Hanks also have been #1 five times, but non-consecutively.
Has been named to Quigley Publications annual Top 10 Poll of Money-Making Stars 12 times, tying him for 10th place with Harrison Ford. John Wayne is #1 on the all-time list, with 25 appearances in the Top 10.
Lost the 1997 Razzie award for Worst Supporting Actor to Marlon Brando by a mere single vote. Reynolds was nominated for his performance in Striptease (1996) and Brando for his role in The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996). The vote was cast by Razzie awards founder John Wilson, who always chooses to vote last.
