Burt Reynolds, star of “Smokey and the Bandit,” Dead at 82

Burt Reynolds, the acting superstar that first appeared on the silver screen over 5 decades ago, passed away on Thursday, September 6, at the age of 82. His agent, Todd Eisner, said that the “Smokey and the Bandit” star suffered a cardiac arrest. According to a 911 report an ambulance had been called to his estate Thursday.

A Michigan native, Reynolds and his family moved to Florida when he was five. In high school, he showed promise as a football star and even received a scholarship to attend Florida State University. When his athletic career was derailed due to injury, the charismatic Reynolds turned to acting.

An iconic Hollywood sex symbol in front of the camera for a couple decades, Reynolds also tried his directorial hand behind it, and later earned a reputation for philanthropy after founding the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film & Theatre in Florida.

Reynolds is survived by his son, Quinton, and his ex-wife, Loni Anderson.

See David Ariosto & Megan Thomas, Burt Reynolds, “Smokey and the Bandit” Star, Dead at 82, CNN, September 7, 2018.