Word of Burt Reynolds’ death spread fast on Thursday. The film icon, 82, was rushed to a hospital in Jupiter, Florida this morning after going into cardiac arrest, TMZ reports.
His family was reportedly by his side when he died.
Reynolds, an accomplished actor and published author, was known for his roles as former football star turned convict Paul Crewe in The Longest Yard (1974), truck driver Bo Darville in Smokey and the Bandit (1977) and, of course, porn director Jack Horner in Boogie Nights (1997).
The man often did his own stunts and, decades ago, suffered a set accident while filming a scene for City Heat (1984) — Reynolds was hit “flush on the jaw” by a metal chair. This made eating difficult, and he didn’t work for two years after that.
Reynolds was diagnosed with temporomandibular disorder, which affects the joint that connects the lower jaw with the skull, and later battled addiction to painkillers. His addiction landed him in rehab in 2009.
He underwent heart surgery a year after his stint in rehab, and his health declined.
In 2015, Reynolds made an appearance at Philly’s Comic Con event. Reynolds, looking frail and cane in tow, promoted his memoir entitled “But Enough About Me.”
“I always wanted to experience everything and go down swinging,” the final paragraph reads. “Well, so far, so good. I know I’m old, but I feel young. And there’s one thing they can never take away: Nobody had more fun than I did.”
He leaves behind his adopted son, 30-year-old Quinton.
Celebrities react to Burt Reynolds’ death
Many famous faces took to Twitter to post about Burt Reynolds’ death.
“Burt Reynolds was one of my heroes,” Arnold Schwarzenegger tweeted. “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.”
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
Mark Wahlberg and Sylvester Stallone also posted tributes:
Rest in peace to a legend and a friend. #BurtReynolds pic.twitter.com/HnmCCTv1d1
— Mark Wahlberg (@markwahlberg) September 6, 2018
A sad day, my friend BURT REYNOLDS Has passed away. I remember him back in 1979, he always reminded me that I should’ve cast him as Colonel Trautman in FIRST BLOOD , I said that’s… https://t.co/zlAEfpAiaP
— Sylvester Stallone (@TheSlyStallone) September 6, 2018
Steve Harvey wrote, “Very sad to hearing about the passing of Burt Reynolds. He was a great actor, a philanthropist and a pioneer of the cool mustache. Thank you, Burt. You will be missed.”
Very sad to hearing about the passing of Burt Reynolds. He was a great actor, a philanthropist and a pioneer of the cool mustache. Thank you, Burt. You will be missed. pic.twitter.com/nuuFWMSnJg
— Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) September 6, 2018
“Sending my love to Burt Reynolds’ family,” The Office star Angela Kinsey wrote. “May he rest in peace. He was one of my Dad’s favorites. He brought a lot of joy into our lives.”
Vampire Diaries actor Paul Wesley (Stefan Salvatore) tweeted, “Burt Reynolds was one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever worked with. He took me under his wing when I was first starting out as an actor and offered friendship, advice and guidance. I’ll never forget how much that meant to me.”
The list goes on:
My good friend has started a new journey. Rest in my peace my friend. I’ll never forget the wonderful times we spent together. #BurtReynolds pic.twitter.com/DXzIchYDjl
— Reba (@reba) September 6, 2018
Sad to hear Burt Reynolds has died. Man.. I grew up watching Cannonball Run.. Smokey and the Bandit… Stroker Ace and so many others. He had a swagger and a charm that I really enjoyed. Boogie Nights is one of my fav films. #RIP
— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) September 6, 2018
Sad to hear of the passing of legend, Burt Reynolds.
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) September 6, 2018
So very sad to hear of the passing of a #legend #burtreynolds He was 82 and leaves a legacy of terrific movies. When we interviewed him, he was the essence of #hollywood #royalty He will be missed. pic.twitter.com/vvr1zVnFaG
— Al Roker (@alroker) September 6, 2018
Rest in paradise Burt Reynolds.
