The Film That Put Burt Reynolds Out of Commission for Two Years

Burt Reynolds, once the biggest movie star in the world, experienced a major setback in his career and star power due to an unexpected turn of events during the filming of the 1984 project City Heat, which he co-starred in with Clint Eastwood.

Originally, Blake Edwards, director of The Pink Panther, was set to helm the film.

However, Eastwood had a different vision and managed to bring Richard Benjamin, known for directing Private Benjamin, on board instead.

Little did Reynolds know that this change in director would have significant consequences.

On the first day of shooting, disaster struck.

Reynolds recounts the incident in his memoir, But Enough About Me.

He describes how the night began perfectly, with impeccable timing, successful jokes, and everyone having a great time on set.

However, during the last scene of the night, a fight scene, something went terribly wrong.

Reynolds' character was supposed to be hit in the head with a chair.

To ensure safety, a chair that could easily break upon impact with the actor was prepared.

Unfortunately, the person fighting Reynolds mistakenly picked up a metal chair instead, delivering a powerful blow to Reynolds' jaw.

Reynolds fell to the ground but tried to shake off the incident.

He managed to finish the scene, but the following day, he experienced excruciating pain.

He suffered from a blinding headache, ringing in his ears, and difficulty speaking due to his lopsided bite.

Eating solid food became impossible, resulting in weight loss.

Despite his condition, Reynolds soldiered on, not wanting to disrupt the project.

A few days later, Eastwood noticed Reynolds struggling and arranged an early wrap-up for the day.

Rather than seeking immediate medical attention, Reynolds relied on painkillers to continue working, feeling that he had ruined the movie.

Unfortunately, the accident took a toll on Reynolds.

He was unable to work properly for two years, leading to rumors in the press that he was battling AIDS, a disease that was widely misunderstood during the 1980s and carried a high mortality rate.

His weight plummeted as his health deteriorated.

Ultimately, Reynolds discovered that he was suffering from temporomandibular disorder (TMD), also known as TMJ.

This condition affects the joint connecting the lower jaw to the skull and disrupts balance and sensory perception, causing constant seasickness-like symptoms.

Reynolds likened it to having an army of people trying to escape through his eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.

Finding a solution was no easy task.

At one point, a dentist had to remove all of his bottom teeth.

However, Reynolds eventually underwent realignment of his teeth and managed to recover.

Reflecting on the experience, he stated that it ultimately made him stronger but expressed his inability to forgive those who abandoned him during his ordeal.