# Why did Burt Reynolds' career founder after Boogie Nights? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 10, 2011, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-burt-reynolds-career-founder-after-boogie-nights/585011 "2011-06-10T18:44:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-burt-reynolds-career-founder-after-boogie-nights/585011/41 "2011-06-13T03:39:12Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > It’s weird to remember back in the late seventies, when Burt Reynolds and Clint Eastwood were seen as peers - and Eastwood was often seen as the poor man’s Reynolds. I remember this. I seem to remember Clint overtaking Burt as the number 1 box office draw in the late 70’s, early 80’s and Burt never recovered his lofty position. Clint picked better movies, started to direct, and really became a huge box office draw. Clint does NOT have a good off-the-screen reputation or persona, and he never helped his cause by tying himself to that anvil of an actress Sondra Locke, and yet he endured. Clint was still doing a nice job in Gran Torino. Burt is just a bitter guy that never accepted growing old and not being a leading man any more. MHO, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-burt-reynolds-career-founder-after-boogie-nights/585011/42 "2011-06-13T15:49:32Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > It’s weird to remember back in the late seventies, when Burt Reynolds and Clint Eastwood were seen as peers - and Eastwood was often seen as the poor man’s Reynolds. They even appeared together, in 1984: [City Heat - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_Heat). Sucky movie, though. Reynolds did well in a recurring role, pretty much playing himself, as a sleazy nightclub owner on _My Name is Earl_. Norm Macdonald later appeared as his idiot son, pretty much doing his Burt Reynolds impersonation. I don’t remember Reynolds’s _X-Files_ appearance. Remind me…? ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-burt-reynolds-career-founder-after-boogie-nights/585011/43 "2011-06-13T16:05:02Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > No, I meant the idea that his career pretty much imploded back when **NDP** and **Starving Artist** and **Alessan** were saying, right around when the AIDS rumor would’ve hit – and that, while he _ **didn’t** _ in fact have AIDS, he suddenly found himself unable to get ideal work just when a guy coming up on fifty would’ve needed to be at the top of his game to deftly transition a good ol’ boy persona away from the _winkin’-an’-drinkin’ lover of fast cars and cute gals_ schtick. > > Instead, he does so much crap for so long that it’s _ **unsurprising** _ his role in Boogie Nights fails to resurrect his career; he’s gonna need a bigger boat. Burt did an interview during the \*Boogie Nights \*Oscar season where he looked back on the AIDS rumors. The real health problem was an injury he received from a botched stunt doing _City Heat_. According to Burt, it did get so bad that he thought he might die. In this interview, aired just before the Oscars, Burt said that the thing that kept him going was that he didn’t want people to think he died of AIDS. I don’t recall that statement making a very big splash in entertainment news, but I can’t imagine that sat too well in the movie industry. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-burt-reynolds-career-founder-after-boogie-nights/585011/44 "2011-06-13T16:06:16Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Beef cake action hero/comedic male actors … who did keep on as hot properties once their looks and bodies faded? Those who have (and some have) have much better acting chops/depth/range and judgement than Reynolds has. A boyish wink won’t sustain an aging beefcake’s career. A lot of them then become valuable character actors, taking interesting parts (Michael Caine, who works for the money but who fits the example) but I think some, like Reynolds, just can’t get over the fact that they used to be leading men and won’t take character roles. Reynolds took the part in _Boogie Nights_ because he needed the money, but maybe after that Oscar nomination he told his agent he was a big star again and would accept only leading roles. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-burt-reynolds-career-founder-after-boogie-nights/585011/45 "2011-06-13T16:11:01Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I don’t remember Reynolds’s _X-Files_ appearance. Remind me…? Episode 9.13, “Improbable,” wherein Burt plays a … mysterious character who may or may not be supernatural. It deals with numerology and a serial killer. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-burt-reynolds-career-founder-after-boogie-nights/585011/46 "2011-06-14T01:46:05Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > Episode 9.13, “Improbable,” wherein Burt plays a … mysterious character who may or may not be supernatural. It deals with numerology and a serial killer. Thanks. Reading the Wiki article, I realized I never saw it: [Improbable (The X-Files) - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Improbable_%28The_X-Files%29) ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-burt-reynolds-career-founder-after-boogie-nights/585011/47 "2011-06-14T02:06:47Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > A lot of them then become valuable character actors, taking interesting parts (Michael Caine, who works for the money but who fits the example) but I think some, like Reynolds, just can’t get over the fact that they used to be leading men and won’t take character roles. Reynolds took the part in _Boogie Nights_ because he needed the money, but maybe after that Oscar nomination he told his agent he was a big star again and would accept only leading roles. Better actors than Reynolds have this same vanity. Cary Grant turned down the role of General Allenby in _Lawrence of Arabia_, though he would have been better in it than Jack Hawkins. Sean Connery turned down a great supporting part as John Hurt’s rival laird in _Rob Roy_. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-burt-reynolds-career-founder-after-boogie-nights/585011/48 "2011-06-14T02:32:40Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > Better actors than Reynolds have this same vanity. Cary Grant turned down the role of General Allenby in _Lawrence of Arabia_, though he would have been better in it than Jack Hawkins. Sean Connery turned down a great supporting part as John Hurt’s rival laird in _Rob Roy_. :dubious: Cary Grant turned down the supporting role in question to again play leading man, racking up yet another Golden Globe nomination for **That Touch Of Mink** before again playing leading man to rack up yet another Golden Globe nomination for **Charade**. Sean Connery turned down the supporting role in question to again play leading man in the much bigger blockbuster **First Knight** before again playing leading man in the even bigger blockbuster **The Rock**. Was it vanity or accuracy? ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-burt-reynolds-career-founder-after-boogie-nights/585011/49 "2011-06-14T11:55:19Z")
To paraphrase Milton “Better to reign in a Doris Day sex farce than serve in a David Lean epic.” But Connery had accepted a supporting role, in The Untouchables. It revived his career, but only for the purpose of future lead roles in silly caper flicks, not a second career as scene-stealing supporting parts, as Lionel Barrymore, Charles Bickford and many other leading men did. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-burt-reynolds-career-founder-after-boogie-nights/585011/50 "2011-06-14T11:59:36Z")
Why would we expect an Oscar nomination to revive Burt Reynolds’s career? Getting one for “Sunset Boulevard” didn’t do it for Gloria Swanson. Although she may have had a slightly better late career than Burt by appearing as herself in “Beverly Hillbillies” and “Airport 1975”. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-burt-reynolds-career-founder-after-boogie-nights/585011/51 "2011-06-14T12:01:58Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > But Connery had accepted a supporting role, in The Untouchables. It revived his career, but only for the purpose of future lead roles in silly caper flicks, not a second career as scene-stealing supporting parts, as Lionel Barrymore, Charles Bickford and many other leading men did. The Rock may be a silly caper flick, but its also considered one of the grestest action movies of the last two decades. Not bad for an old guy. ---
**Author:** ![Capitaine\_Zombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@Capitaine\_Zombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capitaine_Zombie)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-burt-reynolds-career-founder-after-boogie-nights/585011/52 "2011-06-14T12:18:48Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > The Rock may be a silly caper flick, but its also considered one of the grestest action movies of the last two decades. Not bad for an old guy. ??? The Rock?? One of the grestest action movies of the last two decades??? Darn, I must have shifted dimensions in my sleep. Again. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-burt-reynolds-career-founder-after-boogie-nights/585011/53 "2011-06-14T12:26:07Z")
> [@Capitaine\_Zombie](#): > > ??? > > The Rock?? > > One of the grestest action movies of the last two decades??? Why not? [And it’s not like I’m the only person to think so.](http://www.criterion.com/films/649-the-rock) ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-burt-reynolds-career-founder-after-boogie-nights/585011/54 "2011-06-14T12:26:36Z")
> [@Capitaine\_Zombie](#): > > ??? > > The Rock?? > > One of the grestest action movies of the last two decades??? > Darn, I must have shifted dimensions in my sleep. Again. He might be talking about a different movie called “The Rock” than you are thinking of. There might be a film that doesn’t have Nick Cage and glass balls filled with green stuff by that name. Maybe. if not, then ask him if they have the ending to 'Edwin Drood" in this timeline. ---
**Author:** ![ministryman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@ministryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ministryman)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-burt-reynolds-career-founder-after-boogie-nights/585011/55 "2011-06-14T13:38:31Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Why not? [And it’s not like I’m the only person to think so.](http://www.criterion.com/films/649-the-rock) +1. Sir Sean is a stud. I dare any other actor to maintain his level of studliness when they are his age… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-burt-reynolds-career-founder-after-boogie-nights/585011/56 "2011-06-14T13:43:11Z")
> [@ministryman](#): > > [QUOTE=Justin Bailey] > Why not? And it’s not like I’m the only person to think so. +1. Sir Sean is a stud. I dare any other actor to maintain his level of studliness when they are his age… [/QUOTE] Plus, click on the link to click on the link to Ebert’s take on the film: _“The Rock is a first-rate, slam-bang action thriller with a lot of style and no little humor … The movie is a triumph of style, tone, and energy—an action picture that rises to the top of the genre because of a literate, witty screenplay and skilled craftsmanship in the direction and special effects … Director Michael Bay orchestrates an efficient and exciting movie, with big laughs, sensational f/x sequences, and sustained suspense. There are several Identikit Hollywood action stars who can occupy the center of chaos like this, but not many can convince you they think they’re really there. Watching The Rock, you care about what happens. You may feel silly later for having been sucked in, but that’s part of the ride.”_ ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Hamsandwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4bbf92/32.png) [@Darth\_Hamsandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Hamsandwich)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-burt-reynolds-career-founder-after-boogie-nights/585011/57 "2011-06-14T15:00:30Z")
It’s elementary, actually. If Burt makes an appearance as **Turd Ferguson** , he’ll be back on top in three shakes of a lambs tail. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-burt-reynolds-career-founder-after-boogie-nights/585011/58 "2011-06-15T12:55:17Z")
> [@Darth\_Hamsandwich](#): > > It’s elementary, actually. If Burt makes an appearance as **Turd Ferguson** , he’ll be back on top in three shakes of a lambs tail. Turd Ferguson stars in… _Anal Bum Cover_. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Hamsandwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4bbf92/32.png) [@Darth\_Hamsandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Hamsandwich)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-burt-reynolds-career-founder-after-boogie-nights/585011/59 "2011-06-15T15:37:13Z")
> [@lisacurl](#): > > Turd Ferguson stars in… _Anal Bum Cover_. 😃 “We meet _again_, Trebek!” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-burt-reynolds-career-founder-after-boogie-nights/585011.md?page=2)