Actor Burt Reynolds passed away on Thursday in Jupiter, Florida, at age 82. The cause of death was cardiac arrest. His passing became a flashpoint on social media, with fans sharing memories of his iconic roles and each becoming a trending phrase.
Reynolds’ niece Nancy Lee Hess said in a statement: “My uncle was not just a movie icon; he was a generous, passionate and sensitive man who was dedicated to his family, friends, fans and acting students.”
She continued: “He has had health issues, however, this was totally unexpected. He was tough. Anyone who breaks their tailbone on a river and finishes the movie is tough. And that’s who he was. My uncle was looking forward to working with Quentin Tarantino [in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood] and the amazing cast that was assembled.”
While Reynolds played football for Florida State in the ’50s, a knee injury pivoted him into acting. He started out doing regional theater in Florida, then grew into TV appearances before starring in hits like Smokey and the Bandit and Deliverance. During the shooting of Deliverance, a dummy was supposed to be used in a scene where a canoe goes over a waterfall, but Reynolds decided to do the stunt himself, and subsequently broke his tailbone. In 1997, he played director Jack Horner in Boogie Nights, which snagged him an Oscar nomination.
He was also portrayed by comedian Norm Macdonald on SNL, who played him as a gum-smacking wise-ass who preferred the name “Turd Ferguson.”
Online, colleagues and fans stated their condolences and remembrances.
https://twitter.com/normmacdonald/status/1037790065718517760?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
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 humor – check out his Tonight Show clips. My thoughts are with his family.
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) September 6, 2018
R.I.P. Burt Reynolds, underrated as a dramatic actor (Deliverance), underrated as a director (Sharkey's Machine), but also a rare movie star that seemed to be just having an absolute ball onscreen. Nobody broke frame with a bigger gleam in his eye. "Just watch ol' Bandit run." pic.twitter.com/L4NlRyqahb
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) September 6, 2018
I met Burt Reynolds once in a video store in the 90s before he did “Boogie Nights.” He was by himself and no one seemed to notice him. I said, “I just want to thank you for many hours of entertainment.” He smiled so big and shook my hand and said, “You made my day. Thank you.”
— Richard Marx (@richardmarx) September 6, 2018
BURT REYNOLDS YOU HAVE THE 2ND BEST MOUSTACHE ON EARTH AND I LOVE YOU FOREVER. GOD BLESS YOU pic.twitter.com/C4WEiAZT4S
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) September 6, 2018
A source told the Hollywood Reporter that Reynolds was set to start shooting on Tarantino’s new film in the upcoming weeks. He was cast as George Spahn, the owner of the Los Angeles ranch where Charles Manson and his followers lived.
H/T the Hollywood Reporter