Burt Reynolds, Star Of ‘Deliverance’ And ‘Boogie Nights,’ Dies At 82 Of Cardiac Arrest

Burt Reynolds, the actor who starred in dozens of well-known Hollywood films like Deliverance, Boogie Nights and Smokey and the Bandit, died Thursday at the age of 82.

According to CNN, Reynolds’ agent Todd Eisner said the actor suffered a cardiac arrest. Reynolds died in Jupiter, Florida.

Reynolds was known for playing a wide range of characters, from tough guy to a funny man. In 1998, he received his only Oscar nomination, a Best Supporting Actor nod for playing a porn filmmaker in Boogie Nights. Reynolds won a Golden Globe for his performance in the Paul Thomas Anderson film.

Reynolds also starred in the classic 1974 sports comedy film The Longest Yard, in which he played the quarterback of a football team of prison inmates. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor. Reynolds also appeared in the 2005 remake of the movie, which starred Adam Sandler, and played the coach of the inmates squad. Reynolds reportedly had the potential to become a professional football player after receiving an athletic scholarship from Florida State University, but eventually became an actor after a string of injuries.

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In 1993, Reynolds was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. The actor also turned down several high-profile film roles throughout his career, including James Bond and Han Solo from the Star Wars franchise. CNN reported that he was also one of Paramount Pictures’ top choices to portray the titular role of Michael Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola‘s The Godfather in 1972.

Reynolds’ romantic life was also the subject of much public attention. He was married to actress Loni Anderson from 1988 to 1993 and also at one point dated Academy Award Winner Sally Field, his co-star from Smokey and the Bandit. Reynolds also filed for bankruptcy in 1996.

According to several reports, Reynolds had been suffering from health issues for many years that led to him undergoing open heart surgery. In 2009, the actor entered a drug rehab clinic following an addiction to painkillers.

Dozens of celebrities paid tribute to Reynolds on social media on Thursday:

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

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

Rest in peace to a legend and a friend. #BurtReynolds pic.twitter.com/HnmCCTv1d1

— Mark Wahlberg (@markwahlberg) September 6, 2018

Burt Reynolds & Clint Eastwood were fired from GUNSMOKE & RAWHIDE at the same time. Burt was told he couldn’t act and Clint his neck was too skinny. In the parking lot, Burt said to Clint, “I dunno what you’re gonna do, but I’m gonna take acting lessons.” #RIPBurtReynolds

— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) September 6, 2018

This has broken my heart. I loved #BurtReynolds. #BestLittleWhoreHouseInTexas was my favorite of his films. Losing so many heroes. This sucks. It really sucks. https://t.co/5357j5B4op

— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) September 6, 2018

God bless, sir. 🙏🏼 RIP https://t.co/oW5aTZBC39

— Dean Cain (@RealDeanCain) September 6, 2018

RIP to another legend. Grew up with my parents, my brothers and a worn out VHS copy of Cannon Ball Run, watched Deliverance on my first date with my wife (don’t ask) & revisit Boogie Nights every few months to marvel at his performance. A very great loss. https://t.co/rmwoCHJcNM

— Josh Gad (@joshgad) September 6, 2018