Burt Reynolds Movies – A Retrospective Look Back at the Legendary Actor’s Best Films

Burt Reynolds is a Hollywood icon. His roles in films, both on the big and small screens, have become iconic. From the good ol’ boys of Smokey and the Bandit to Jack Horner, the porn director in Boogie Nights, Reynolds has left an indelible mark on American culture. Here we take a look back at some of his best movies.

Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
The 1977 film Smokey and the Bandit featured Burt Reynolds as “the Bandit,” a good ol’ boy who teams up with his trucker buddy Cledus Snow (Jerry Reed) to transport an illegal shipment of beer from Texas to Georgia. Along for the ride is Sally Field as Frog, a runaway bride who helps them evade police cars along their journey. The movie was an instant classic that spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs. It also established Reynolds as one of Hollywood’s leading men.

The Longest Yard (1974)
In this 1974 classic, Burt Reynolds plays Paul Crewe, a former pro-football quarterback who winds up in prison after crashing his car while drunk driving. To prove himself to his fellow inmates and gain their respect, Crewe assembles a team of prisoners to take on the prison guards in a football game. The movie also features performances by Eddie Albert as Warden Hazen and Richard Kiel as Caretaker, as well as cameos by NFL greats Joe Kapp and Deacon Jones. It was remade with Adam Sandler in 2005, but it’s hard to beat Burt Reynold’s actual performance in this classic sports flick.

Deliverance (1972)
In 1972’s Deliverance, Burt Reynolds plays Lewis Medlock, one of four city slickers who embark on a weekend canoe trip down Georgia’s Cahulawassee River. What starts out as an innocent adventure turns into something much more sinister when they are confronted by two local hillbillies intent on doing them harm. Deliverance was one of Reynold’s first big hits and earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Lewis Medlock. It has since become one of Reynold’s most iconic roles and is widely considered one of the greatest films ever made about nature gone wrong.

Boogie Nights (1997)
Burt Reynolds took a risk when he signed on for 1997’s Boogie Nights, playing porn director Jack Horner opposite Mark Wahlberg as Eddie Adams/Dirk Diggler. The role earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. More importantly, it helped re-establish him as one of Hollywood’s leading men after years spent in relative obscurity following his stint in television series like Evening Shade and Gunsmoke: Return To Dodge during the early 1990s. Critics hailed Boogie Nights upon its release for its unflinching look at life within the adult film industry during its heyday in 1970s California.

The Cannonball Run (1981)
In 1981’s The Cannonball Run, Burt Reynolds plays J.J. McClure, an eccentric race car driver who teams up with his mechanic Victor Prinzi (Dom DeLuise) to compete in an illegal coast-to-coast race from Connecticut to California. Along for the ride are a host of other colorful characters, including Adrienne Barbeau as the tough-as-nails nurse and Jack Elam as the hillbilly mechanic. The movie was a box office hit and spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs, cementing Reynolds’ status as one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

White Lightning (1973)
Burt Reynolds stars as Gator McKlusky in 1973’s White Lightning, one of his earliest successful films. Gator is a moonshine runner sent to prison after being set up by his nemesis, Sheriff J.C. Connors (Ned Beatty). Upon his release from prison, Gator agrees to help the FBI take down Connors’ corrupt empire in exchange for a full pardon on all charges against him. The movie was praised by critics for its action sequences and Reynold’s performance as Gator, which helped launch him into superstardom.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982)
In 1982’s The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Burt Reynolds, and Dolly Parton starred as Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd and Miss Mona Stanley, the owner of the Chicken Ranch, a local brothel that has been operating for more than a century. When a crusading television reporter (Charles Durning) threatens to shut down the ranch, Ed Earl and Miss Mona team up to fight back and keep the business open. The movie was a box office hit and earned both Reynolds and Parton Golden Globe nominations for their performances.

Conclusion
Burt Reynolds’ long career in Hollywood has resulted in some truly iconic movies. From Smokey and the Bandit to Boogie Nights, his films have stood the test of time and are still beloved by fans today. His films have also left an indelible mark on American culture, and his larger-than-life persona will live on in our memories.