Anecdotes

Had a relationship with Sally Field for many years, but she refused his numerous proposals, and they eventually broke up. He said that she was a positive influence on him and, in fact, was the love of his life.

Attended Elizabeth Taylor's "Commitment to Life" fund-raiser for AIDS research on 19 September 1985, where Burt Lancaster read Rock Hudson's statement announcing he had been diagnosed with AIDS. At one point Reynolds was booed when he read a telegram of support from President Ronald Reagan. Reynolds summed up the frustration of the lack of AIDS awareness when he angrily said, "If this were a benefit for cancer, reporters wouldn't be asking stupid questions like, 'Why are you here?'.".

Met one of his heroes, Spencer Tracy, while filming Riverboat (1959). Tracy was filming Le souffle de la haine (1960) on the same lot and Reynolds used to watch him walk from the set to his trailer everyday. After a while, Tracy finally turned to him and said, "Come on, kid." For the next several weeks the two would meet and talk about sports and, every once in a while, acting.

He was considered for Harrison Ford's roles in La guerre des étoiles (1977) and Blade Runner (1982).

Attended Florida State University on a football scholarship, but only played in two seasons. He was a star running back. His college football career was ended by a knee injury.

Sales of the Pontiac TransAm increased by 500% after Cours après moi shérif (1977). Pontiac was so grateful to Reynolds that it promised him a new TransAm every year in perpetuity. The promise lasted five years. He drove a 1977 Trans Am Limited Edition in these movies.

Was the first actor ever asked to guest-host The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962). Prior to Reynolds, only comedians had been invited. His first (?) guest was his ex-wife Judy Carne, who he hadn't spoken to in over six years after a very bitter divorce.

Was the original choice to play Garrett Breedlove in Tendres passions (1983). Although he loved the script, he had already agreed to star in Stroker Ace (1983), so he turned down the role. As a result, the role went to Jack Nicholson, who eventually won an Oscar for it. Reynolds later commented that this was one of his most terrible mistakes.

Was director Milos Forman's first choice for the lead in Vol au-dessus d'un nid de coucou (1975) but United Artists believed his appeal with average moviegoers might prevent the film from attracting the critical attention it felt was necessary for the film to be a box-office hit. Jack Nicholson was cast instead and him his first Best Actor Oscar. Eight years later Reynolds was writer-director James L. Brooks' first choice for the role of amorous astronaut Garrett Breedlove in Tendres passions (1983). This time Reynolds passed on the project, clearing the way for Nicholson to win his second Oscar, this one for Best Supporting Actor.

Turned down the role of John McClane in Piège de cristal (1988). It went to Bruce Willis.

Early in his career he appeared as a contestant on The Dating Game (1965).

Was seriously involved with Inger Stevens shortly before her suicide in 1970. He refused to discuss the relationship.

Underwent quintuple heart bypass surgery in February 2010.

Despite his lucrative career, in 1996 he filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, due in part to an extravagant lifestyle, a divorce from Loni Anderson and failed investments in some Florida restaurant chains. He emerged from bankruptcy two years later.

Had no plans to retire in his last years, despite having difficulty walking, due to breaking over forty bones when doing his own stunts early in his career. Reynolds' money problems after his second divorce clouded the last 25 years of his life.

Had a long-term relationship with Dinah Shore in the early 1970s. She was 20 years his senior. This age difference eventually led to their amicably splitting up, as Reynolds wanted to be a father.

In May 2018, he joined the cast for Quentin Tarantino's film Il était une fois à... Hollywood (2019) as George Spahn, but he died before shooting his scenes. Bruce Dern was cast instead. When Rick and Cliff are watching All the Streets Are Silent (1965), the actor who played the Rick Dalton role in the actual TV episode was Burt Reynolds.

His working relationship with Paul Thomas Anderson during the making of Nuits endiablées (1997) was very difficult and he hated the film so much that he fired his agent immediately after viewing a screening. This was before the critical raves after the New York Film Festival occurred. He was then convinced by Anderson to promote the film on a radio tour and was further enraged at Anderson's behavior (constantly not letting Reynolds speak). This was the final straw for Reynolds, who, after a week or so of promoting the film, tried to punch Anderson in the face and stopped promoting the film. Reynolds refused to participate in Anderson's next project, Magnolia (1999).

Though their relationship eventually did not work out, he spoke fondly of Sally Field and he regards her as having been a positive influence on his life.

He beat over 300 other contenders for the role of Quint Asper on Le justicier (1955).

In 1999 one of the projects that never realized for him was "Bulls Night Out". The movie was supposed to be an old-fashioned cop drama about over-the-hill cops taking justice into their own hands. It was to be directed by Burt himself, and to star him and a number of other veteran action stars. Roy Scheider, Danny Aiello, Louis Gossett Jr. and Charles Durning were all attached. It was supposed to be funded by a then new studio called Ray Art Studios, based in Canoga Park, CA. For a variety of reasons, the film never got made.

Had an adopted son, Quinton A. Reynolds (aka Quinton Anderson Reynolds, born August 31, 1988), with former wife Loni Anderson.

Turned down the role of James Bond, believing that an American couldn't play the role.

Was a 1958 graduate of Florida State University.

According to the book "1000 Facts about Actors Vol. 2", his favorite actor was the English character actor Richard Griffiths.

Inducted into the International Mustache Hall of Fame in 2015 (inaugural class) in the category Film & Television.

Claimed that Loni Anderson took "5 hours to get ready to go to the grocery store" and would disappear for days at a time supposedly shopping.

In 1980 he gave friend Jerry Reed the very same model of a 1977 Pontiac Trans Am Limited Edition that he drove in all three "Smokey and the Bandit" films.

Once paid $12,200 for a custom hairpiece.

During the mid-'80s he tried to make a comeback with Banco (1986), written by William Goldman. He hoped the movie, directed by Robert Altman, would mark a new phase in his career. Unfortunately, Altman had an altercation with producer Elliott Kastner and left the project. The movie ended up being a box-office failure.

His close friends were Johnny Carson, James Hampton, Dom DeLuise, Jerry Reed, Charles Nelson Reilly, Tammy Wynette, Lucie Arnaz, Adrienne Barbeau, Tawny Little, Dinah Shore and Chris Evert.

When Francis Ford Coppola decided to make a project about the life of the famous Preston Tucker, he wanted Reynolds to play Tucker. They had many discussions about the movie and made plans, but the film did not get made until 1988, this time with Jeff Bridges in the role. Reynolds only got Lewis Medlock's role in Délivrance (1972) after the stars who were originally chosen to play the lead--including Marlon Brando, Henry Fonda and James Stewart--declined the part, after they heard about the risks of the Chattooga River.

Ironically, while Reynolds was nominated for a "Best Motion Picture Actor - Musical or Comedy" Golden Globe for his performance as "Paul Crewe" in Plein la gueule (1974), he was nominated for a Razzie Award for "Worst Supporting Actor" for his performance in the 2005 remake (Le dernier essai (2005)). Here, he played "Coach Scarboro" to Adam Sandler's "Paul Crewe".

He was offered the role of Edward Lewis in Une jolie femme (1990) but declined. He jokingly said on Piers Morgan's Life Stories (2009) in 2012 that after he saw the film and the love-making scenes with Julia Roberts, that he made a mistake in not taking the part.

Reynolds' appearance on the cover of Playboy Magazine (October 1979) made him the second male after Peter Sellers (April 1964) to merit the rare privilege.

His 1972 nude centerfold photo in Cosmopolitan magazine sold 1.5 million copies. He later said that he deeply regretted posing for the photo, as he believed it lost him an Academy Award nomination for Délivrance (1972), as he would not be seen as a 'serious actor'. A depiction of the photo was also used in the film poster for Les poulets (1972), also starring Reynolds.

He was considered for Robert De Niro's roles in Taxi Driver (1976) and Midnight Run (1988).

The character design of the Comedian/Edward Blake in Alan Moore's graphic novel "Watchmen" is said to have been based on Reynolds. He was even considered for the role when the novel was in discussion to be adapted to film.

Mentioned in the theme song of the pilot version (4 Nov 1981) of the 1980s TV hit Le cascadeur (1981).

After having worked with director John Boorman in Délivrance (1972), he was cast by Boorman one year later to play the lead in the science-fiction Zardoz (1974). Reynolds had to pull out due to illness and Sean Connery got the part. Reynolds and Boorman almost worked together again, this time in 1980, when Boorman was attached, for some time, to direct him in L'anti-gang (1981). When Boorman left the picture, Reynolds directed it himself.

Lost the 1997 Razzie award for Worst Supporting Actor to Marlon Brando by a mere single vote. Reynolds was nominated for his performance in Strip-Tease (1996) and Brando for his role in L'île du docteur Moreau (1996). The vote was cast by Razzie awards founder John Wilson, who always chooses to vote last.

Despite being notorious for using a toupee or a combover to cover his receded frontal hairline, Reynolds can be seen without one in such films as L'anti-gang (1981), Haut les flingues (1984), Stick, Le Justicier de Miami (1985) and Breaking In (1989).

Sidney Lumet wanted him for the main role in Les coulisses du pouvoir (1986). He turned the part down, and Richard Gere was cast.

He was originally considered to star in Doux, dur et dingue (1978).

Had an adopted brother, Jimmy/James Hooks Reynolds.

As of his death in 2018, he appeared in one film nominated for Best Picture Oscar: Délivrance (1972).

He was awarded an honorary doctorate from Florida State University in 1981 and later endorsed the construction of a new performing arts facility in Sarasota, Florida.

He was offered a lead role in M*A*S*H (1970), but turned it down after "they told me the other two leads would be Barbra Streisand's husband and that tall, skinny guy who was in Douze salopards (1967)." Tom Skerritt played the role instead.

He bared almost all for a Cosmopolitan centerfold in 1972.

Has been named to Quigley Publications' annual Top 10 Poll of Money-Making Stars 12 times, tying him for tenth place with Harrison Ford. John Wayne is #1 on the all-time list, with 25 appearances in the Top 10.