BURT REYNOLDS HOLLYWOOD LEGEND DIES AT THE AGE OF 82
HOLLYWOOD was in mourning last night for actor Burt Reynolds.
The star, best known for his roles in Smokey And The Bandit, Deliverance and The Cannonball Run in which he starred with Farrah Fawcett, died aged 82 in a Florida hospital after a heart attack.
He had suffered from health problems for years and underwent major heart surgery in February 2010.
Reynolds was one of the bestknown leading men in the 1970s and 1980s, and later won a Golden Globe in 1997 for his performance as porn director Jack Horner in Boogie Nights.
He was also nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for the role. Arnold Schwarzenegger led the tributes last night, tweeting: “Burt Reynolds was one of my heroes.
“He was a trailblazer. He showed the way to transition from being an athlete to being the highest paid actor, and he always inspired me.
“He also had a great sense of humour. My thoughts are with his family.”
Director Jim Michaels wrote: “You were always a very kind person to work with, Burt Reynolds. You took the time to introduce yourself to everyone on the crew and I’ll never forget that. Your smile, creative generosity and signature laugh always made our days at work some of the best I have ever had. Thank you.”
Actor Wesley Snipes also posted an online tribute to Reynolds, saying: “I will never forget our dinners, laughs and gems you dropped.
“Meeting you was one of the greater joys of my adult life and artistic career. You were The Man then, now and for ever in my book.”
Reynolds was a promising college American football star in his youth before injury curtailed his sporting career.
He went on to become a huge box office draw, starring in a string of action films and comedies.
The star married twice, tying the knot with English actress Judy Carne in 1963. They divorced in 1965 and Reynolds married fellow Hollywood star Loni Anderson in 1988. But the pair’s marriage crumbled and led to an acrimonious divorce.
Reynolds later filed for bankruptcy and, in 2014, was forced to sell prized memorabilia, including his Golden Globe award.
But he joked that he wished he had spent more.