Legendary actor Burt Reynolds passed away on September 6, 2018, at the age of 82. His career spanned an amazing seven decades and he was an icon to many. Reynolds started acting in the 1950s and got his breakout role in the 1972 film Deliverance.
After that, he went on to star in other popular movies like 1977's Smokey and the Bandit with Sally Field, which was the year's highest-grossing film only behind Star Wars. Field released a statement: "There are times in your life that are so indelible, they never fade away. They stay alive, even forty years later. My years with Burt never leave my mind. He will be in my history and my heart for as long as I live. Rest, Buddy."
In 1997, he was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in Boogie Nights. In 2015 he wrote a memoir, But Enough About Me, where he wrote about his life when he was just an adolescent to becoming a famous actor, sex symbol and father. "I always wanted to experience everything and go down swinging," he wrote in the final paragraph of his memoir. "Well, so far, so good. I know I'm old, but I feel young. And there's one thing they can never take away: Nobody had more fun than I did."
He recently starred in one of his last films, The Last Movie Star, which was released in March and tells the story of a forgotten Hollywood icon.
His career is also marked by movies he didn't make. He turned down the roles of Han Solo in Star Wars, Garrett Breedlove in Terms of Endearment and John McClane in Die Hard.
He touched many people throughout his career and will be missed. Farewell, Bandit.
Burt Reynolds & Clint Eastwood were fired from GUNSMOKE & RAWHIDE at the same time. Burt was told he couldn't act and Clint his neck was too skinny. In the parking lot, Burt said to Clint, "I dunno what you're gonna do, but I'm gonna take acting lessons." #RIPBurtReynolds
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) September 6, 2018
Burt Reynolds was one of my heroes. He was a trailblazer. He showed the way to transition from being an athlete to being the highest paid actor, and he always inspired me. He also had a great sense of humor - check out his Tonight Show clips. My thoughts are with his family.
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) September 6, 2018
Burt Reynolds. True legend. Our hero. Funny as hell and a for-real badass. So many great movies. So many great stories. Such a great Dad. Will be missed by all. Deepest condolences to his family.
— Adam Sandler (@AdamSandler) September 6, 2018
Burt Reynolds was the best, funniest super hero on this planet...He was a friend and I’ll miss him!! Nobody was better than him...dashing, charming and just so lovable!! pic.twitter.com/1TjNHF021D
— David Hasselhoff (@DavidHasselhoff) September 6, 2018
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