5 Mind-Blowing Facts About the Hollywood Icon
The Fact Is, Burt Reynolds Was Box Office King for the 70S and Much of the 80S. However, His Entire Career Is Jam-Packed with Colorful Turns. So Comb Your...
The fact is, Burt Reynolds was box office king for the 70s and much of the 80s. However, his entire career is jam-packed with colorful turns. So comb your mustache and flash your best grin as we take a look at some of the most mind-blowing moments from Reynolds’ Hollywood journey.
Burt Reynolds Turned Down Some Iconic Roles
During his nearly 60-year career, Burt Reynolds turned down numerous iconic roles. Reportedly, he turned down James Bond, Han Solo in Star Wars, R.P. McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Edward Lewis in Pretty Woman, and John McClane in Die Hard.
Reynolds reportedly regretted turning down a role written specifically for him in Terms of Endearment. When director James L. Brooks approached him about playing Garrett Breedlove, Reynolds declined, opting for a role in Stroker Ace. Jack Nicholson ultimately took the role and won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1984.
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A Stunt Gone Wrong Led to Rumors About Reynolds’ Health
During the filming of City Heat alongside Clint Eastwood, Reynolds sustained an injury while performing a stunt, resulting in a hairline fracture in his jaw that eventually developed into TMJ syndrome. This condition made it extremely difficult for him to eat, leading to significant weight loss. At the time, rumors were circulating about him having AIDS. The excruciating pain he experienced led him down a path of addiction to painkillers, and he nearly lost his life when he attempted to abruptly quit them. Unfortunately, he battled with this addiction for many years.
Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.
