Burt Reynolds passed away yesterday at a Florida hospital. He was 82.
Before jumping to the silver screen, Reynolds was a fixture on several popular TV shows, including “Gunsmoke,” “Route 66,” “Perry Mason” and “The Twilight Zone.” By the time the 70’s rolled around, Reynolds was the number one star in America for a quite some time and that was credited to his role in the movie, “Deliverance.”
He starred in a number of movies over time including “The Longest Yard,” the “Cannonball Run” series, “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” “Stroker Ace,” “City Heat,” and “Striptease”. He will forever be remembered as Bo ‘Bandit’ Darville – from 1977’s “Smokey and the Bandit” and its sequels. But it was his role in 1997’s “Boogie Nights” that garnered him a Golden Globe awards as well as an Oscar nomination.
Beyond his screen work – Reynolds was the consummate sex symbol. That was due in large part to his nude “Cosmopolitan” centerfold in 1972. And while his developed a reputation as quite a ladies’ man – there were at least three women who truly touched his heart. British actress Judy Carne (to whom he was married from 1963 to 66), “Bandit” co-star Sally Field (they were together from 1977 to 1982) and actress Loni Anderson (they were married from 1988 to 1993).
- Reynolds and Anderson also had a child together, Quinton Anderson, whom Reynolds has referred to as “my greatest achievement.” While Quinton has led an extraordinarily private life, and hasn’t spoken out, mom Loni "Quinton and I are extremely touched by the tremendous outpouring of love and support from friends and family throughout the world," she said in a statement to Fox News. "Burt was a wonderful director and actor. He was a big part of my life for twelve years and Quinton's father for thirty years. We will miss him and his great laugh.”
- Similarly, Field whose relationship with Reynolds is immortalized in the “Smokey and the Bandit” films, has also offered her thoughts. “There are times in your life that are so indelible, they never fade away,” Field said in a statement to “People.” “They stay alive, even forty years later. My years with Burt never leave my mind. He will be in my history and my heart, for as long as I live. Rest, Buddy.”