The legendary Burt Reynolds has died at the age of 82 following a heart attack. Writing those words is a jarring thing, as it seems like Reynolds life and career always had another act to play out. With a career spanning from 1960 to just prior to his death (he was slated to co-star in Quentin Tarantino‘s upcoming film about the Manson Family, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), Reynolds was one of the most successful actors in Hollywood history. Showing his range in dramatic works like Deliverance and his 1997 comeback film Boogie Nights, he was perhaps best known for crowd-pleasing efforts like the Smokey and the Bandit and the Cannonball Run films. Reynolds also proved himself as a skilled director in works like Sharky’s Machine and Stick, illustrating his artistic versatility.
No stranger to publicity, both good and bad, Reynolds had ups and downs in his career. But we can think of few actors who had such a twinkle in their eye on-screen (just see the infamous Reynolds blooper reels that wrapped up several of his most popular films for evidence of this). In recent years, the star seemed to enjoy his role as pop culture elder statesman, finding himself referenced in cartoons like The Venture Bros. and Archer (for which he provided his voice) — introducing his filmography to an entirely new generation in the process.
Throughout the weekend we will be reflecting upon Reynolds’ work here on MovieFanFare, but we also wanted to get you involved. Please take the opportunity to discuss all things related to Burt Reynolds in the comments below. We want to hear about your favorite films of his, and any memories on how his career touched your life. What an icon, what an inconceivable loss.