Burt Reynolds: Hollywood's Iconic Mustached Legend and Box Office King

Burton Leon Reynolds Jr. (February 11, 1936 – September 6, 2018) was an American actor who dominated Hollywood's box office from the mid-1970s through the early 1980s, becoming one of the most recognizable and beloved movie stars of his generation. Known for his signature mustache, roguish charm, and self-deprecating humor, Reynolds carved out a unique niche as both an action hero and comedic leading man who never took himself too seriously.

From Football Star to Acting Discovery

Born in Lansing, Michigan, Burt Reynolds moved with his family to Riviera Beach, Florida, where his father became the chief of police. Reynolds excelled as a high school athlete, earning a football scholarship to Florida State University where he played halfback and roomed with future broadcaster Lee Corso.

However, fate had different plans. A knee injury followed by a serious car accident in 1955 ended his football dreams. While recovering and attending Palm Beach Junior College, Reynolds discovered acting through English professor Watson B. Duncan III, whom he later credited as the most influential person in his life.

"I read two words and they gave me a lead," Reynolds later recalled about his first audition. This natural talent earned him the 1956 Florida State Drama Award and a scholarship to New York's Hyde Park Playhouse, launching his acting career.

Television Breakthrough: From Westerns to Stardom

Reynolds' big break came in 1962 when he was cast as Quint Asper, the half-breed blacksmith in the hit TV series Gunsmoke. Chosen from over 300 contenders, this role provided steady work and exposure during the show's golden era. He later called his time on Gunsmoke "the happiest period of my life."

After leaving Gunsmoke in 1965, Reynolds starred in his own series Hawk (1966-67) and Dan August (1970-71). Though these shows were short-lived, they established Reynolds as a television leading man and showcased his natural charisma that would later make him a movie star.

The Talk Show Phenomenon

Reynolds became a popular talk show guest, particularly on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and The Merv Griffin Show. His self-deprecating humor and ability to laugh at himself endeared him to audiences nationwide. He famously called himself America's most "well-known unknown" who made movies "they show in airplanes or prisons."

Deliverance and the Birth of a Movie Star

Reynolds' career-defining moment came with Deliverance (1972), directed by John Boorman. Cast as the tough outdoorsman Lewis Medlock, Reynolds delivered a powerhouse performance that showcased his dramatic abilities and rugged masculinity. The film's success transformed him from a television actor into a bona fide movie star.

"It's the first time I haven't had a script with Paul Newman and Robert Redford's fingerprints all over it," Reynolds joked at the time. The role required intense physical demands, including performing his own stunts in the treacherous Chattooga River rapids.

Around this time, Reynolds also gained notoriety for his relationship with singer Dinah Shore, 20 years his senior, and his famous nude centerfold in Cosmopolitan magazine in April 1972 – a move that generated massive publicity and cemented his status as a sex symbol.

The Box Office King: Six Years at the Top

From 1978 to 1982, Burt Reynolds achieved something few actors ever accomplish: he was voted the world's number-one box office draw for five consecutive years, sharing this record only with Bing Crosby. This unprecedented streak was built on a series of crowd-pleasing hits that showcased his unique blend of action and comedy.

The Smokey and the Bandit Phenomenon

Smokey and the Bandit (1977) became Reynolds' biggest hit, earning over $300 million worldwide. Playing the charming bootlegger "Bandit," Reynolds created an iconic character that perfectly captured his roguish appeal. The film spawned two sequels and established Reynolds as the king of good-ol'-boy action comedies.

Other major hits during this period included:

• The Longest Yard (1974) - A prison football comedy that became a classic
• Semi-Tough (1977) - A football comedy with Kris Kristofferson
• Hooper (1978) - A tribute to Hollywood stuntmen
• The Cannonball Run (1981) - An ensemble action-comedy that became a massive hit

Career Struggles and Triumphant Revival

The 1980s brought career challenges as Reynolds' box office appeal waned. Films like Stroker Ace (1983) and Stick (1985) failed to connect with audiences. However, television came to his rescue with the successful sitcom Evening Shade (1990-1994), which earned him a Golden Globe and Emmy Award.

The Boogie Nights Renaissance

Reynolds' career experienced a remarkable renaissance with Paul Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights (1997). Playing pornography director Jack Horner, Reynolds delivered a nuanced, emotionally complex performance that reminded audiences of his serious acting abilities. The role earned him a Golden Globe win and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

This late-career triumph introduced Reynolds to a new generation of fans and proved that beneath the mustache and machismo was a genuinely talented actor capable of great depth and vulnerability.

Reynolds' Enduring Cultural Impact

Burt Reynolds represented a unique era in Hollywood when movie stars were larger-than-life personalities who connected directly with audiences. His self-aware humor, willingness to poke fun at his own image, and genuine warmth made him beloved by fans and fellow actors alike.

Reynolds' influence extended beyond movies. His signature mustache became a cultural icon, inspiring countless imitators. His good-natured approach to fame, combined with his Florida State University loyalty and philanthropy, made him a genuinely admired figure in American culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Burt Reynolds' biggest movie hit?

Smokey and the Bandit (1977) was Reynolds' biggest commercial success, earning over $300 million worldwide and spawning two sequels. The film perfectly captured his charming rogue persona.

Did Burt Reynolds do his own stunts?

Yes, Reynolds was known for performing many of his own stunts, particularly in Deliverance where he navigated real river rapids. His stunt work sometimes resulted in injuries that affected him throughout his career.

Why didn't Burt Reynolds appear at the 1998 Oscars?

Despite being nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Boogie Nights, Reynolds was reportedly ill and couldn't attend the ceremony. Some sources suggest he had conflicts with director Paul Thomas Anderson.

What was Burt Reynolds' connection to Florida State University?

Reynolds attended FSU on a football scholarship and remained a devoted alumnus throughout his life. He was a major supporter of the university and the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film & Theatre was established there in his honor.

The Last Movie Star: Reynolds' Final Act

In his later years, Reynolds continued acting while dealing with health issues related to decades of stunt work. His final film, appropriately titled The Last Movie Star (2017), served as a meta-commentary on his own career and the changing nature of Hollywood fame.

When Burt Reynolds passed away on September 6, 2018, at age 82, he left behind a remarkable legacy. More than just a movie star, he was a cultural icon who represented a bygone era when Hollywood personalities were genuine entertainers who never forgot their connection to regular folks.

Reynolds once said, "I've always gotten along better with animals than people." Yet paradoxically, few actors connected as naturally with audiences or brought as much joy to the movie-going experience. His combination of rugged masculinity, self-deprecating humor, and genuine warmth created a template for movie stardom that remains unmatched.