Burt Reynoldswas an icon of ’70s American pop culture. He was a very well known and recognizable face in the whole industry, with a staggering and mind-blowing 50 years old acting career under his belt. Reynolds was known as the ultimate sex symbol of the ’70s with his trademark mustache, macho vibe, and extreme charisma. This ace was one of Hollywood’s top-grossing actors from 1978 to 1982, making him a beloved actor of his generation.
He made his acting debut in the low-budget movieAngel Babyin 1961, followed by a wartime movie,Armored Command, in the same year. He rose to fame with his performances in the hit seriesGunsmokeand later got to lead his own TV show,HawkandDan August.His performance in a movie that got him his big break was alongside John Boorman inDeliverance (1972).From this point onwards, Reynolds went on an upward trajectory, releasing constant hits and keeping his appearances intact on television by appearing on various talk shows. He maintained his image through these talk shows and soon became the talk of the town through his unexpected and iconic nude cover of Cosmopolitan.Burt Reynolds was very gifted and enthusiastic about his career, and remained active until his tragic and unexpected death in 2018. Hepassed away due to a heart attack, right before filming his scene forOnce Upon A Time in… Hollywood.Hollywood lost one of the greatest actors to ever exist; however, his legacy remains through the stellar career he left behind.
6Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
Directed by Hal Needham and starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, and Jackie Gleason, this movie is considered a masterpiece of filmmaking.Smokey and the Banditis aremodeling of the southern American dream. Burt Reynolds plays the character of Bandit, dressed in his iconic red shirt and grey cowboy hat. He faces the challenging task of transporting illegal beer across state lines. His uneventful trip from Atlanta to Texarkana is very eventful and nerve-racking for the viewers. The best moments of the movie are between Bandit and his nemesis, Sheriff Justice. Both have extreme showdowns across the journey keeping viewers at the edge of their seats.
5The End (1978)
The Endfeatured Burt Reynolds in the director’s seat and starring as the main character Rendell, a shady real estate promoter.The Endwas a very controversial movie for its time for featuring a sensitive topic such as suicide in a comedic way. Rendell has a rare blood disease, and makes many attempts to kill himself, only to fail every time. Rendell makes an acquaintance at the medical facility he is sent to. Though this was a risky feat to pull off, Burt Reynolds pulled it off with perfection. His failed attempts towards suicide and unique dark humor adds a layer of relaxation to the movie which intrigues the viewers.
Related:Quentin Tarantino Says Burt Reynolds Died Happy After Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Casting
4Starting Over (1979)
Exactly a year afterThe End,Burt Reynolds took this unconventional role for himself in aromantic comedydirected by Alan J. Pakula. Reynolds appears in the movie as Phil, a New York professional who moves back to Boston after a divorce, and gets set up with a nursery-school teacher. This movie features a heart-warming, yet rocky romance between the two. Burt Reynolds displays all emotions in the perfect manner of a man who is stuck in a world where he must make decisions all over again. His performance as Phil got him his second Golden Globe Awards nomination for Best Actor in a movie, which was rightfully deserved.
3Boogie Nights (1997)
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson,Boogie Nightsis considered the peak of Burt Reynolds’ career. The movie follows the story of a young bus boy Eddie (Mark Wahlberg), who gets discovered with a porn movie directed by Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds), and grows to become an adult film sensation. Reynolds’ performance in this movie solidified his career for the diversity in his characters up to this point. It was also refreshing to see him in a much more serious and less comedic role of a motivated director who wants to be at the top. His role as Jack Horner got him his first Golden Globe win and an Oscar nomination. He also went on to receive his second Screen Actors Guild Awards nod as the ruthless yet kind director.
Related:Burt Reynolds Laid to Rest in Hollywood Cemetery Over Two Years After His Death
2Deliverance (1972)
Directed by John Boorman,Deliveranceis the movie that is considered to have skyrocketed Reynolds’ career into greatness. The story follows a group of businessmen who go into the wilderness for leisure, but encounter disastrous situations and end up having a tragic experience. The sensitive and horrifying nature of the movie coveredmurders, sexual assaults, survival skills, and unexpected encounters with the police.Deliverancewas way ahead of its time. When Burt Reynolds starred in the movie, he was not very well-known by viewers. By the end of the movie, he came out as the fan favorite by playing the extreme macho-man, Lewis Medlock. His get-up in the film, with the bow and arrow, is still remembered by many viewers who watched his stellar performance for the first time. His leading nature shined through the rest of the characters, and to date, has never been equaled.
1The Longest Yard (1974)
Directed by Robert Aldrich,The Longest Yardis afootball comedyin which Paul Crewe (Burt Reynolds), a former professional player, is sent to jail for stealing a car. In jail, he creates a football team with his fellow inmates who participate in a football exhibition game against the guards. Crewe faces a lot of obstacles in prison, ranging from being disgraced as a former footballer to facing scrutiny in prison from the guards. However, he turns out as the nice guy who does the right things for his fellow inmates, and introduces a comedic challenge against the cocky guards of the prison. The football practices of the makeshift team are nothing but hilarious under the supervision of Crewe. The team does end up as successful by the end.
