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Thursday, September 06, 2018

Burt Reynolds, Star of ‘Deliverance,’ ‘Smokey and the Bandit,’ Dies at 82


Burt Reynolds, one of Hollywood’s most popular leading men during the ’70s and early ’80s via such films as “Deliverance,” “Smokey and the Bandit, “The Longest Yard” and “Semi-Tough,” has died. His rep confirmed that he died Thursday in Jupiter, Fla. He was 82.

He later earned an Oscar nomination as best supporting actor in Paul Thomas Anderson’s ode to skin flicks, “Boogie Nights.” He had been set to appear in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Hollywood.”

Reynolds’ appeal lay in his post-modern macho posture undercut by a wry self-awareness, which he used to good effect in comedies as well as action films. For a period during the ’70s he was the nation’s top box office draw. But after one too many bad movies, his popularity waned. He returned to television, where he’d gotten his start, mostly in Westerns, and produced his own sitcom, “Evening Shade,” which brought him an Emmy.


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8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was Heart broken when news headlines and i like Smokey and the Bandit being chase by Texas Smokey who crossing state lines try catch him with alot of mayhem and fun.

SomersetLady said...

I remember when he was a really big deal.
However, I rue the day that I attempted to watch Deliverance. No no no...just no.

Anonymous said...

Ah Deliverence. Great movie about life along the Pocomoke river.

Anonymous said...

You won't see a funeral like McCains. He was a great a actor and American. I wouldn't mind seeing a 5 day farewell to one of my heros. Burt Reynolds RIP

Anonymous said...

Smokey & the Bandit........now that was one "hunk" of a guy!!!

Anonymous said...

Better have 1 month of All His Movies on TV !!...He Had Sooooooo Many !!

Anonymous said...

RIP Mr. FLORIDA STATE! Thanks for the many years of entertainment. You're now back with family and friends like Sammy, Dean, Jerry, Jackie and Dom.

One of a kind indeed!

Anonymous said...

I always thought he was an untalented actor, but I liked the movies he was in. The movies were good, just not the acting by Reynolds. He might have played the lead, but it was the supporting actors that made the movies successful.