A Stunt Gone Wrong: Burt Reynolds’ Acting Career Interrupted for Two Years

The late Burt Reynolds, a renowned actor and s** symbol, made a significant impact on pop culture throughout the '60s, '70s, '80s, and '90s.

With iconic performances in films like “White Lightning” (1973) and “Boogie Nights” (1997), Reynolds accumulated numerous awards and nominations, including Emmys, Golden Globes, and Academy Awards.

However, his journey was not without setbacks.

Before achieving movie star status, Reynolds began his career in television.

After gaining experience in theatrical acting, he secured a TV contract that led to roles in popular Western shows such as “Gunsmoke” and “Riverboat.”

He quickly became a familiar face to TV audiences and further enhanced his popularity by appearing on talk shows like Johnny Carson's “Tonight Show.”

Reynolds transitioned from the small screen to the big screen, establishing himself as a bona-fide star with his role as Lewis Medlock in the intense thriller “Deliverance” (1972).

This performance solidified his image as a s** symbol and a rugged embodiment of masculinity.

However, Reynolds' involvement in demanding stunts proved to be his downfall.

In 1984, while filming “City Heat,” a buddy-crime drama co-starring Clint Eastwood, an unfortunate accident occurred.

During a fight scene, Reynolds' character was supposed to be struck with a stunt chair that was designed to be fragile and harmless.

However, a mix-up led to Reynolds being hit with a metal chair instead, causing severe injury.

Reynolds experienced ringing ears, a blinding headache, and facial issues that affected his ability to speak and eat properly.

Despite the pain, he continued filming, but he felt he had let down the cast and believed that he had ruined the movie.

As a result of the accident, Reynolds required extensive recovery time and had to take a two-year break from acting.

This absence from Hollywood, combined with his noticeable weight loss, sparked rumors that he had contracted AIDS.

However, Reynolds revealed that his health problems were related to a joint condition in his jaw, which affected his balance and sensory perception.

He underwent reconstructive jaw surgery to alleviate the constant seasickness-like symptoms.

Unfortunately, Reynolds' health struggles persisted.

He faced a series of health issues throughout the following years, including addiction to painkillers prescribed after a back surgery and quintuple bypass surgery.

Despite these challenges, Reynolds continued to pursue his passion for acting.

On September 6, 2018, Burt Reynolds passed away, leaving behind a legacy as a talented actor who overcame various obstacles throughout his career.