Surprising facts about the late, great Burt Reynolds

Legendary actor Burt Reynolds has died at age 82.
The actor’s death was confirmed earlier today by Us Weekly. Reynolds went into cardiac arrest in a hospital in Florida on Thursday.
His family was present and by his side at the time of his death.
Burt Reynolds had a career that spanned decades.
From television roles in Gunsmoke to his breakout role as Lewis Medlock in Deliverance to Smokey and the Bandit to Boogie Nights, Reynolds has always commanded the screen.
And his life off screen was just as fascinating as his life onscreen. Here are some of the most fascinating facts about the life of the late, great Burt Reynolds.
Early on in his career, Reynolds was denied a role because he looked too much like Marlon Brando.
He auditioned for Sayonara on the stage, but he was told he couldn’t be cast because he looked too much like Brando, who played the lead in the film.
Turns out Brando wasn’t exactly a fan of Burt Reynolds later on in life (maybe because they were too similar). When Reynolds was being considered for a role in The GodfatherBrando said he would remove himself from the project years later, if Reynolds was cast.
Reynolds turned down some major roles.
A few of the gigantic roles Reynolds declined are: Han Solo in Star Wars, McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Edward Lewis in Pretty Woman, and John McClane in Die Hard.
He also turned down the chance to play James Bond.
Speaking of turning down roles, it was hard to get Reynolds to agree to star in Boogie Nights.
This was the role that ultimately got him nominated for an Academy Award, but Reynolds turned it down seven times before he finally agreed to be in the film. But director Paul Thomas Anderson was adamant that the role of Jack Horner was meant for Burt Reynolds.
And he was right.
Burt Reynolds once released a country album.
After starring in Deliverance and posing nude in Cosmo, Reynolds released his debut record album, Ask Me What I Am, in 1973.
There’s not much to say about the album except that it didn’t quite translate to a career in music for Reynolds.
Source: twentytwowords.com