Burt Reynolds (1936-2018)
- Sep 5, 2018
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 16
Burt Reynolds | February 11, 1936 – September 6, 2018 (Age 82 Years)
Burt Reynolds was an American actor, director, and producer celebrated for his charisma, rugged charm, and presence in iconic films like Deliverance, Smokey and the Bandit, and Boogie Nights. A major box-office draw in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Reynolds embodied American masculinity with a wry sense of humor and bold onscreen persona. He died of a heart attack on September 6, 2018, at Jupiter Medical Center in Florida, at the age of 82.
Early life
Burton Leon Reynolds Jr. was born on February 11, 1936, in Lansing, Michigan, and grew up in Riviera Beach, Florida. A natural athlete, he played football on scholarship at Florida State University before injuries redirected him toward acting.
Career highlights
Reynolds broke into film with roles in Deliverance (1972) and went on to become a staple of the action-comedy genre, with starring roles in hits such as The Longest Yard (1974), Smokey and the Bandit (1977), and The Cannonball Run(1981). In 1997, he received critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination for his supporting role in Boogie Nights. His final film appearance was in Defining Moments (2021), released posthumously.
Personal life
He was married twice—to Judy Carne (1963–1965) and Loni Anderson (1988–1993)—and had one son, Quinton. Reynolds later reflected on the complexities of fame and the image he portrayed in his career. He valued privacy, often keeping personal matters away from the public eye.
Final years
Continuing to act into the 2010s, Reynolds maintained his hallmark wit and presence. On September 6, 2018, he passed away of a heart attack in a Florida hospital. He was cremated and remembered fondly by family and fans.
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