A Legend to Remember

Actor Burt Reynolds dies at age 82

ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT

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By Kasey Kim, A&E Editor

American actor, director, and producer Burt Reynolds passed away on Sept. 6, 2018 at the age of 82.

Reynolds was taken to the Jupiter Medical Center in Jupiter, Florida after his caretaker called 911. He later passed away from cardiac arrest.

Reynolds had dealt with heart issues in the past, however, his death was unexpected to his family and fans.

After hearing the tragic news, fans gathered to mourn his loss by laying a wreath of flowers at his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Burt Reynolds was born on Feb. 11, 1936 in Lansing, Michigan. He was married to Judy Carne from 1963 to 1965 and Loni Anderson from 1988 to 1994. Reynolds and Anderson are the parents of Quinton Anderson Reynolds.

Reynolds made his theatrical debut in “Angel Baby” in 1961.

His career peaked in the 1970s with his Academy-Award nominated role in “Deliverance” (1972) as Lewis Medlock. He starred in films such as “Smokey and the Bandit” (1977), the second highest grossing film of the decade following “Star Wars,” and “Boogie Nights” (1997), which earned him a second Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Reynold was also featured in many television series, including “Gun Smoke” and “Dan August.”

Reynolds turned down the iconic roles of Han Solo in “Star Wars” and James Bond in his Hollywood career.

Reynolds also directed and produced films such as, “Gator” (1976), “The End” (1978), and “Big City Blues” (1997).

“Defining Moments” is the last film that stars Burt Reynolds and will be released on April 12, 2019.

Before his death, Reynolds had been cast in Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming movie, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” which will star Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, Al Pacino, and Kurt Russell. Reynolds was set to portray George Spahn, an 80-year old blind man who rents his Los Angeles ranch out as a movie set. His scenes were planned to be filmed at the end of this month.

In honor of Reynolds, AMC will return “Smokey and the Bandit” to theaters from Sept.12 to Sept. 20.