Enduring, strong-featured and genial star of US cinema who started off in TV westerns in the 1960s and then carved his name into 1970/1980s popular culture as a male sex symbol (posing near naked for "Cosmopolitan" magazine) and on-screen as both a rugged action figure and then as a wise cracking, Southern type "good ole' boy".

Handsome Reynolds originally hailed from Lansing, Michigan before moving to Florida where he excelled as an accomplished athlete who played with Florida State University, became an All Star Southern Conference half back (and was earmarked by the Baltimore Colts) before a knee injury and a car accident ended his football career. Midway through college, he dropped out and headed to New York with aspirations of becoming an actor where he worked in restaurants and clubs whilst pulling the odd TV spot or theatre role.

He was spotted in an NYC production of "Mister Roberts" and signed to a TV contract and appeared in TV shows including Gunsmoke, Riverboat & Hawk.

Reynolds continued to appear in non-demanding western roles, often playing an Indian half breed in films such as A Dollar a Head, 100 Rifles and Sam Whiskey. However, it was his tough guy performance as macho "Lewis Medlock" in the John Boorman backwoods nightmare Deliverance, that really stamped him as a bonafide star.

His popularity continued to climb higher with his appearance as a no-nonsense private investigator in Shamus and in the Woody Allen comedy Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex * But Were Afraid to Ask. Building further on his image as a Southern boy who out smarts the local lawmen, Reynolds packed fans into theatres to see him star in White Lightning, The Longest Yard, W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings and Gator.

At this time, ex-stuntman and longtime Reynolds buddy, Hal Needham came to Burt with a "road film" script that they shot as the incredibly popular Smokey and the Bandit with Sally Field & Jerry Reed, which took over $100 million at the box office. The success of the first film was followed up with Smokey and the Bandit II and Smokey and the Bandit Part 3. Reynolds also appeared alongside Kris Kristofferson in the hit football film Semi-Tough, with friend Dom DeLuise in the black comedy _End, The (1978), in the stunt laden buddy film Hooper and then in the self-indulgent, star-packed road race flick The Cannonball Run.

The early 1980s started off well with a strong performance in the violent cop film Sharky's Machine, which he also directed, plus starring with Dolly Parton in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and with fellow macho superstar Clint Eastwood in the coolly received City Heat. However, other film projects such as Stroker Ace, Stick and Paternity failed to fire with fans and he quickly found himself falling out of popularity with movie audiences. In the late 1980s he appeared in only a handful of below average films, before his old friend television came to the rescue and Burt shone again in two very popular TV shows, B.L. Stryker and Evening Shade, for which he won an Emmy.

He was back on screen, but still the film roles weren't grabbing the public's attention, until his terrific performance as a drunken politician in the otherwise woeful Striptease and then another tremendous showing as a manipulative adult film director in Boogie Nights, which scored him a Best Supporting Actor nomination. Like the Phoenix from the ashes, Burt had resurrected his popularity and, in the process, had scored a new generation of young fans, many of whom had been unfamiliar with his 1970s film roles. His acting talents were back in demand too and he put in entertaining work in Pups, Mystery, Alaska, Driven and Time of the Wolf. Definitely one of Hollywood's most resilient stars, Reynolds has continually surprised all with his ability to weather both personal & career hurdles and his forty-plus years in front of the cameras is testament to his staying ability, his acting talent and his appeal to film audiences.


City Heat (1984): $4,000,000
Cannonball Run II (1984): $5,000,000
The Cannonball Run (1981): $5,000,000

Was drafted by the Baltimore Colts. When Francis Ford Coppola decided to make a project about the life of the famous Preston Tucker, he wanted Burt Reynolds to play Tucker. They discussed a lot about the movie and made plans, but the film never got made, until 1988, this time with Jeff Bridges in the role. Burt Reynolds only got Lewis Medlock's role in Deliverance (1972) after the stars who were originally chosen to play the lead, such as Marlon Brando, Henry Fonda and James Stewart declined the part, after they heard about the risks of the Chattooga River. Engaged to former waitress Pam Seals. [January 1998] Attended Florida State University on a football scholarship, but only played in two seasons. He was a star running back. His college football career was ended by a knee injury. During the mid-1980s, he tried to make a comeback with Heat (1986), written by William Goldman. He hoped the movie, directed by Robert Altman, would mark a new phase in his career. Unfortunately, Altman had an altercation with producer Elliott Kastner and he left the project. The movie ended up being a box office failure. Mentioned in the theme song of the pilot version (4 Nov 1981) of the 1980s TV hit "The Fall Guy" (1981). He bared almost all for a Cosmopolitan centerfold in 1972. Member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Turned down the role of John McClane in Die Hard (1988). The role went to Bruce Willis. Hit #88 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1980 with the song "Let's Do Something Cheap and Superficial", from the film Smokey and the Bandit II (1980). His father was of Irish-Cherokee Indian descent, his mother was of Italian descent. Has been named to Quigley Publications' annual Top 10 Poll of Money-Making Stars 12 times, tying him for 10th place with Harrison Ford. John Wayne is #1 on the all-time list, with 25 appearances in the Top 10. Though their relationship did not work out, Reyonds still speaks fondly of actress Sally Field and he regards her as having been a positive influence on his life. Was director Milos Forman's first choice for the lead in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) but United Artists believed his appeal with average moviegoers might prevent the film from attracting the critical attention they felt was necessary for the film to be a box-office hit. Jack Nicholson was cast instead in the role that won him his first Best Actor Oscar. A decade later, Reynolds was writer-director James L. Brooks' first choice for the role of amorous astronaut "Garrett Breedlove" in Terms of Endearment (1983). This time, Reynolds passed on the project, clearing the way for Nicholson to win his second Oscar, this one for Best Supporting Actor. The character design of the Comedian/Edward Blake in Alan Moore's graphic novel Watchmen is said to have been based on Reynolds. Reynolds was even considered for the role when the novel was in discussion to be film adapted. Longtime friend of Charles Nelson Reilly. Met one of his heroes, Spencer Tracy, while filming "Riverboat" (1959). Tracy was filming Inherit the Wind (1960) on the same lot and Reynolds used to watch him walk from the set to his trailer everyday. After a while, Tracy finally turned to him and said, "Come on, kid." For the next several weeks the two would meet and talk about sports and, every once in a while, acting. His numerous achievements have been recognized by being named America's Favorite All Around Motion Picture Actor (People's Choice Award) for a record six consecutive years; the Most Popular Star for five years running; Star of the Year (National Association of Theatre Owners); and # 1 Box Office Star for five years in a row, still an unmatched record. He was recently honored with the 2007 Taurus World Stunt Award for "Lifetime Achievement for an Action Movie Star" and received this special citation from the Republican Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Mentioned in Bruce Springsteen's song "Cadillac Ranch". Immediately after his artistic comeback with Boogie Nights (1997), Burt did a number of indie films, and was attached to star in a number of independent movies. One of this projects was the comedy The Oh in Ohio (2006). Parker Posey, who was a fan of Reynolds, personally offered him a part in the film, but Burt's commitment to another project made impossible for him to play the role. Danny DeVito got the part. Sidney Lumet wanted him for the main role in his 1986's film Power. Burt turned the part down, and Richard Gere was cast. Ironically, while Reynolds was nominated for a 'Best Motion Picture Actor - Musical or Comedy' Golden Globe for his performance as Paul Crewe in the 1974 version of "The Longest Yard", he was nominated for a Razzie Award for 'Worst Supporting Actor' for his performance in the 2005 remake. Here, he played Coach Scarboro to' Adam Sandler''s Paul Crewe. Once paid $12,200 for a custom hairpiece. Agent Richard Clayton was his personal manager for over 20 years. Underwent quintuple heart bypass surgery in February 2010.