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Burt Reynolds: Remembering The Bandit Through the Small Screen

Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Johnny Carson, and Carol Wayne on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson / Image via IMDB

On September 6th, the world lost a one-of-a-kind actor in Burt Reynolds.

Hollywood heartthrob of the ‘70s and ‘80s, then the comeback kid of the ‘90s, Reynolds redefined celebrity with a wink, reinvented what a macho can and should be and carried with him a swagger in every part he played. A good old boy with a sense of humor and a heart of gold.

Outside the silver screen, Reynolds was remembered as a charmer who knew how to make people laugh and bit of a self deprecating humor. Always intelligent and composed, Reynold’s humor shined when he was able to be himself and talk casually.

To remember the great Burt Reynolds, is a collection of clips, trips and interviews that capture the Bandit in his heyday.

 

The Game Game with Burt Reynolds (1969)

“In today’s test we pose the question, ‘How Impulsive Are You?’

Part of the trend of game shows featuring celebrities, Jessica Walters, The Virginian star Doug McClure and Reynolds were all panelists in this mostly-forgotten quiz show.

 

The Dick Cavett Show with Carol Burnett, Burt Reynolds & Carroll O’Connor(1971)

Entering wearing a Carol Burnett wig and a Great Dane in tow, Reynolds holds his own in casual conversation with two comic legends. During the chat, Burnett reveals her crush on Reynolds and he returns the compliment by calling her the “one of the sexiest people in the world.”

 

Burt Reynolds interview with WSB-TV (1972)

Reynolds is called “the biggest sex symbol in America today” and “a pin-up king” after his infamous centerfold with Cosmo.

“I would hate to think when I die on my gravestone it will say, ‘Here lies the first nude male centerfold. I did a few things before that…”

 

Reynolds on The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson (1972)

Reynolds talks casually with the King of Late Night about his work on Deliverance and his take on getting marriage and his most current ex-wife.

 

Sonny & Cher with Burt Reynolds & Steve Martin (1972)

A singing comedy skit with the sex symbol and The Jerk. Laff-In style gags completed with canned laughs and banjo music.

 

The Match Game (1974)

“I got my shot on this show, and I just wanted to stop by and say hello!”

 

Reynolds on The Tonight Show (1978)

Reynolds returns to Carson’s couch and late night to talk about his “new” movie, Hooper.

 

Burt Reynolds on Barbara Walters (1980)

Reynolds talks about his early days as a struggling actor and how a Universal exec easily dismissed the actor, telling the star he had no talent. Reynold left the lot that day with another actor who was dismissed due to his looks…Clint Eastwood.

Reynolds surprisingly agreed with the exec, blaming his bad audition on the shy nature he had at the time.

“I was a combination of Marlon Brando and Yvonne DeCarlo.”

 

 

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