Burt Reynolds Dies at 82: Reports

Burt Reynolds, the star of films like “Smokey and the Bandit” and “The Longest Yard,” died at the age of 82, it was reported on Sept. 6.

Reynolds, who also appeared in “Deliverance” and “Boogie Nights,” died at Jupiter Medical in Florida, The Hollywood Reporter reported, citing his manager Erik Kritzer. The cause of death was not listed in the report.

However, TMZ reported that he died of cardiac arrest. The report said his family was by his side when he died.

Burt Reynolds in 1991. (Alan Light via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license)

The longtime actor had been battling health problems over the past few years. In 2013, his representative said that he was taken to an intensive care unit in a Florida hospital for the flu.

“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,” Reynolds said in his 2015 memoir, “But Enough About Me” about his career. “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 Hollywood Reporter noted that he was Hollywood’s top-grossing actor from 1978 until 1982.

“If I had to put only one of my movies in a time capsule, it would be ‘Deliverance,'” Reynolds also wrote about the 1972 hillbilly thriller. “I don’t know if it’s the best acting I’ve done, but it’s the best movie I’ve ever been in. It proved I could act, not only to the public but me.”

Reynolds noted that he liked to play loveable rascals.

“We’re only here for a little while, and you’ve got to have some fun, right?,” he told The New York Times in early 2018 “I don’t take myself seriously, and I think the ones that do, there’s some sickness with people like that.”

Reynolds was nominated for an Academy Award for best supporting actor for Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Boogie Nights,” but he ultimately lost to Robin Williams for his role in “Good Will Hunting.”

Other details about his death were not reported.

Condolences Pour In

“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,” wrote actor and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Twitter.

“Very sad to hearing about the passing of Burt Reynolds. He was a great actor, a philanthropist, and a pioneer of the cool mustache. Thank you, Burt. You will be missed,” wrote comedian Steve Harvey on Twitter.

“Sad to hear of the passing of legend, Burt Reynolds,” wrote Elijah Wood.

Added Reba McEntire: “My good friend has started a new journey. Rest in my peace my friend. I’ll never forget the wonderful times we spent together. #BurtReynolds.”