That is sad news.. a lot of the old greats have gone before him, I bet they'll throw him a welcome party.
True fact: Burt loved Norm MacDonald's portrayal of him (on SNL) so much, that he called Norm up and they made plans for Burt to appear in a Celebrity Jeopardy sketch. Norm would be up there at the podium, then Burt would burst in, kick Norm off the set, then take his place and be an even bigger dumbass than "Turd Ferguson" was. But Norm was fired from SNL before they could do it.
Burt played Richard "Big" Chubby on My Name Is Earl and Norm played his son "Little" Chubby. Norm did a really good impression of Burt. His best roles were far and away The Bandit and J.J. McClure. I have the Smokey & The Bandit collection and both Cannonball Runs, plus Semi Tough on the old DVD shelf.
RIP Mr. Reynolds. Grew up with him as Charlie from All Dogs go to Heaven, him on the Golden Girls and him on Improbable (the X Files). You'll never be forgotten, sir.
LOL Turd Ferguson! Funny name! One of my favorite episodes of My Name Is Earl featured Burt Reynolds. My second favorite featured Norm MacDonald playing the son of Burt Reynolds' character (complete with the Turd Ferguson gum smacking) RIP Mr. Reynolds!
I've actually seen him in very few things, mostly old TV shows, but he was one of the most famous sex symbols of my childhood, known for his easygoing charm. He also caused quite a stir (in more ways than one) when he posed for Playgirl. Unfortunately, this did not start the expected trend, but he is definitely a symbol of a more liberal era. Rest In Peace, Mr. Reynolds.
Immensely charming and charismatic onscreen and, his acrimonious divorce aside, I don’t recall ever reading a bad word about him. I loved his performance in Deliverance and the scene where the camera moves from a helpless, about to be raped Jon Voight, to Burt’s Lewis training his bow on the rednecks is electric. I do think he never quite realised his potential, sadly. Had he taken some of the roles he turned down (McMurphy in Cuckoo’s Nest, Han Solo, Terms of Endearment) he might have been up there with Newman or McQueen as a true great. Don’t get me wrong, he had a great career and is obviously fondly remembered by audiences and co-stars alike but I think he was capable of more. I remember hoping that his role in Boogie Nights (a role he hated but which landed him his one Oscar nomination) would lead to a late-career renaissance but he seemed content to return to his comfort zone after it.
At some point, a young person starts to become aware of what's behind what they see on TV or in movies: actors, studios, box office figures etc. And Burt Reynolds was THE star at that time for me. Star Wars at the movies, disco on the radio, Steve Martin on SNL, Farrah Fawcett posters, and Burt Reynolds the biggest movie star in the world. Another piece of that has slipped away. What I mostly remember about his heyday were his many Tonight Show appearances, frequently as guest host, where he had an air of modest good humor and approachability, unlike some of the more aloof and private stars of the day. My mom still talks about how hard we laughed the night he shaved off half his mustache. TOS connection: Reynold's debut on Gunsmoke was tracking down and killing James Doohan, a bad bad guy who killed Quint's dad.
They call you the bandit an outlaw untamed Shackled only by freedom you wear no man's chain Some say they despise you well maybe they do But deep down inside them I bet they wish they were you Bandit you're reckless and you live much too hard Bandit you're the joker in the deal of the cards You're a legend to the old man a hero to the child Bandit steal a lady's heart with only a smile Rest in peace Burt, and thanks.