Career Timeline of Burt Reynolds: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Burt Reynolds built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Burt Reynolds was a prominent American actor, particularly famous during the 1970s and 1980s. He initially gained recognition through television roles in series like Gunsmoke, Hawk, and Dan August. Reynolds transitioned to leading film roles, including Navajo Joe and 100 Rifles, before achieving breakthrough success with his role as Lewis Medlock in the movie Deliverance.
December 1956: Cast in Mister Roberts
In December 1956, Reynolds was cast in a supporting role in a revival of Mister Roberts at the New York City Center.
1956: Best Actor Award at PBJC Drama Awards
During his spring term at PBJC in 1956, Reynolds won a best actor award at the PBJC Drama Awards for his performance in Outward Bound.
1957: Reynolds denied role in Sayonara
In 1957, Reynolds was told that he could not be in the movie Sayonara because he looked too much like Marlon Brando.
1959: Reynolds Cast in Riverboat
In 1959, Reynolds was cast alongside Darren McGavin in the television series Riverboat, playing Ben Frazer, the boat's pilot.
1961: Broadway Performance in Look, We've Come Through
In 1961, Burt Reynolds returned to Broadway to appear in Look, We've Come Through, but it lasted only five performances.
1961: Reynolds Stars in Angel Baby and Armored Command
In 1961, Burt Reynolds starred in the low-budget film Angel Baby and followed it with a role in the war film Armored Command.
1962: Burt Reynolds in Gunsmoke
In 1962, Burt Reynolds became well known for his role in the television series Gunsmoke.
1965: Burt Reynolds in Gunsmoke
In 1965, Burt Reynolds continued his role in the television series Gunsmoke.
1965: Lead Role in Operation C.I.A.
In 1965, Burt Reynolds was cast in his first lead role in a movie, the low-budget action movie Operation C.I.A.
1966: Burt Reynolds in Hawk and Navajo Joe
In 1966, Burt Reynolds appeared in the television series Hawk and the film Navajo Joe.
1966: Reynolds stars in Hawk
In 1966, Burt Reynolds was given the title role of a TV series, Hawk, playing Native American detective John Hawk.
1969: Burt Reynolds in 100 Rifles
In 1969, Burt Reynolds appeared in the film 100 Rifles.
1969: Reynolds in Shark!, Fade In, Impasse, and Sam Whiskey
In 1969, Burt Reynolds made a series of movies: Shark!, Fade In, Impasse, and Sam Whiskey.
1969: Reynolds expresses interest in different roles
In a 1969 interview, Reynolds expressed interest in playing roles like the John Garfield part in The Postman Always Rings Twice, but was not given the opportunity.
1970: Burt Reynolds in Dan August
In 1970, Burt Reynolds became well known for his role in the television series Dan August.
1970: Declined M*A*S*H role, starred in Skullduggery
In 1970, Reynolds declined the leading role for the film M*A*S*H and starred in the film Skullduggery, filmed in Jamaica.
1970: Reynolds in Television Films
In 1970, Reynolds featured in two television films: Hunters Are for Killing and Run, Simon, Run.
1970: Dan August Television Drama
Reynolds played the title character in the police television drama Dan August from 1970 to 1971.
1971: Burt Reynolds in Dan August
In 1971, Burt Reynolds continued his role in the television series Dan August.
1972: Burt Reynolds in Deliverance
In 1972, Burt Reynolds had his breakthrough role as Lewis Medlock in the film Deliverance.
1973: Burt Reynolds in White Lightning
In 1973, Burt Reynolds played a leading role in the financially successful film White Lightning.
1974: Burt Reynolds in The Longest Yard
In 1974, Burt Reynolds played a leading role in the financially successful film The Longest Yard.
1977: Burt Reynolds in Smokey and the Bandit and Semi-Tough
In 1977, Burt Reynolds starred in the financial successes Smokey and the Bandit and Semi-Tough.
1978: Reynolds voted world's #1 movie actor
From 1978, Reynolds was voted the world's number-one movie actor in the annual Top Ten Money Making Stars Poll.
1978: Burt Reynolds in The End and Hooper
In 1978, Burt Reynolds starred in the financially successful films The End and Hooper.
1979: Burt Reynolds in Starting Over
In 1979, Burt Reynolds starred in the financially successful film Starting Over.
1980: Burt Reynolds in Smokey and the Bandit II
In 1980, Burt Reynolds starred in the financially successful film Smokey and the Bandit II.
1981: Burt Reynolds in The Cannonball Run and Sharky's Machine
In 1981, Burt Reynolds starred in the financially successful films The Cannonball Run and Sharky's Machine.
February 11, 1982: Appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
On February 11, 1982, Burt Reynolds was featured on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, which included an interview and a This Is Your Life-style skit.
1982: Burt Reynolds in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
In 1982, Burt Reynolds starred in the financially successful film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
1982: End of Reynolds' reign as world's #1 movie actor
In 1982, Reynolds' six-year reign as the world's number-one movie actor in the annual Top Ten Money Making Stars Poll ended.
1984: Burt Reynolds in Cannonball Run II
In 1984, Burt Reynolds starred in the financially successful film Cannonball Run II.
1989: Role in B.L. Stryker
In 1989, Michael Chiklis credited Burt Reynolds with rescuing his acting career after Reynolds hired him for a role in B.L. Stryker. This came after Chiklis was reportedly "blackballed" for portraying John Belushi in the movie Wired.
1990: Burt Reynolds in Evening Shade
In 1990, Burt Reynolds returned to television, featuring in the situation comedy Evening Shade.
1994: End of Evening Shade
In 1994, the situation comedy Evening Shade ended.
1997: Burt Reynolds in Boogie Nights
In 1997, Burt Reynolds performance as Jack Horner in Paul Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights brought him renewed critical attention.
2018: Posthumous Honors and Recognition
In 2018, following Burt Reynolds' death, Antenna TV broadcast his 1982 appearance on The Tonight Show. Local media highlighted his impact on Georgia's film industry, and the Florida State football team honored him with helmet decals.
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