Remembering Burt Reynolds and His ’80s Movies

There was a time when Burt Reynolds was basically the coolest man alive.

The mustache. The Trans Am. The laugh. The ability to make wearing a cowboy hat look completely reasonable.

Reynolds became one of Hollywood’s biggest stars in the 1970s, but he carried that momentum straight into our favorite decade. In this special Stuck in the ’80s memorial episode, we remember Burt Reynolds, who died in 2018 at age 82, and celebrate the movies and larger-than-life personality that made him a pop-culture icon.

Burt Reynolds Enters the ’80s at Full Speed

Reynolds began the decade with 1980’s Smokey and the Bandit II, returning as Bo “Bandit” Darville alongside Sally Field, Jerry Reed and Jackie Gleason.

A year later came one of the quintessential Burt Reynolds movies: The Cannonball Run.

The 1981 comedy assembled an absurd cast that included Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Farrah Fawcett, Roger Moore, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Jackie Chan for an illegal cross-country race.

Was it sophisticated cinema?

Absolutely not.

Did we watch it every time it appeared on cable?

Absolutely.

Reynolds returned for Cannonball Run II in 1984, because apparently one Cannonball Run was insufficient.

Sharky’s Machine and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

Reynolds could do more than drive fast and trade jokes with Dom DeLuise.

He directed and starred in 1981’s Sharky’s Machine, a darker crime thriller that gave Reynolds an opportunity to show another side of himself as both an actor and filmmaker.

Then he teamed with Dolly Parton for 1982’s The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, proving that few actors could move quite as comfortably between action movies, broad comedies and musicals.

His ’80s résumé also included The Man Who Loved Women, City Heat, Stick and Heat.

Not every movie worked.

But Burt was always Burt.

Remembering a Hollywood Original

That's ultimately what made Burt Reynolds so memorable.

He had movie-star charisma but rarely seemed overly impressed with himself. He could play the tough guy while simultaneously letting the audience know he was in on the joke.

And he had that laugh.

In this Stuck in the ’80s memorial show, we look back on Reynolds' remarkable career, share our favorite memories and celebrate a star who seemed perfectly suited to an era of car chases, outrageous comedies and movies that didn't always worry about making complete sense.

Burt Reynolds was already a legend when the ’80s began.

We're just happy the decade got to borrow him for a while.

Join Us on The ’80s Cruise

Want to celebrate the movies, music and stars of our favorite decade with thousands of fellow fans? Join Stuck in the ’80s aboard The ’80s Cruise for live music, trivia, podcasts and plenty of other ’80s fun at sea.

Use promo code STUCK when booking to receive $250 in onboard credit.

Mustache optional.

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