The fourth-wall breaking smile at the camera said all that needs to be said about Burt Reynolds, really. The man who brought Bo “Bandit” Darville to life is often considered one of the biggest automotive inspirations out there in recent times, as many people have looked directly to a black-and-gold Pontiac Trans Am as a source of fun since 1977, when Smokey and the Bandit first came out. With several movies under his belt that are gearhead go-tos for any reason or another, like White Lightning, Hooper, or the Cannonball Run series, Reynolds is one of the actors of the age who seemed to get it. You sensed that he was happy behind the wheel and that every drift, every burnout, every stretch of road that he is obviously well over the double-nickel limit, wasn’t just another payday to him but was a riot, the kind of day where one doesn’t care if they got paid or not because what they were doing was just that much fun.
There are plenty of praises for Reynolds’ career going around ever since the news of his passing was announced yesterday. His career spanned more than just car movies…from the early Western-type films like Navajo Joe to the infamous Deliverance, to the kid-friendly All Dogs Go To Heaven. Even later in life, he had the chops…his role as Coach Scarborough in the remake of The Longest Yard could only be overshadowed by his performance as Paul Crewe in the 1974 version, and if you haven’t seen The Last Movie Star, you probably should.
But for us, that smile will represent the best of Burt Reynolds. He knew he was having fun and he made damn sure that, with one cheesy grin directly to the camera, that you knew it, too.
Rest in peace Burt, you will be missed!
I’m going to paraphrase here because I don’t remember the exact words. One of the best lines in Smokey & The Bandit that said it all about Burt Reynolds personality in these movies was when Sally Field asked him what he did meaning what he did for a living. Burt’s answer; “Show off, mostly.” And we all loved it because these movies were not reality but were a temporary escape from reality. They were intended to be fun and they were because Burt Reynolds played his role to the hilt.
Thank you Burt for the memories going from your appearance in one of the Alfred Hitchcock episodes and then your role in Gunsmoke all they way through to the roles you played in the big screen movies that we all enjoyed.
Rest in peace Burt, you had a one heckuva run and a lot of fun on that journey!
Be sure to buy Jackie another Diablo sandwich and a Dr. Pepper when you see him. No hurry this time…
It’s weird for me to think Burt Reynolds is gone. Cannonball,Hooper,Smokey and the Bandit these are the movies I watch first at the theater then later at the drive in. Like Steve McQueen,Burt was just cool to a preteen/teen me.Who that spends too much ….everything, with and on cars as an adult now didn’t start by dreaming about being Bandit or J.J.McClure? Wow what a ride.
“east bound and down, loaded up and truckin’…” Ain’t no hurry now, Burt. Jerry’s gonna wait on ya! So’s Jackie and Cletus! Gonna be hell on them Heavenly Highways here directly! Rest In Peace, Old Freind!
You’ll live on forever Bandit!
Don\’t Forget Stroker Ace !!
Don’t Forget Stroker Ace !!
Smokey and the Bandit was the second highest grossing film in 1977. Only beat out by Star Wars.
RIP Bandit.
It is hard to think that Mr. Burt Reynolds is gone but definitely not forgotten. We agree with the bang shifters comments and they seem to reflect what we think too. Thanks for all the memories Mr. Burt Reynolds.