One of the lesser known truths about Reynolds, according to Kennedy, was that he was a “devout Christian.” “He was also humbled by the experiences and admitted some of his faults.”
Kennedy said Reynolds even expressed he learned a lot through the challenges in his love life. There was no issues like the media portrays.” Kennedy let us in on what the truth really was during those times.
#BURT REYNOLDS SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT PART 3 MOVIE#
“ He meant a lot to people and people meant a lot to him.”ĭuring the 70s and 80s, tabloid media feasted on Reynolds’ highly publicized relationships, and breakups, with movie stars such as Sally Field and Loni Anderson.
“Whenever he would sign autographs and meet with his fans, whoever was in line, he would stay there until they were done,” Kennedy said. “He was perfectly content to have a ham and cheese sandwich, a turkey sandwich or peanut butter and jelly sandwich for dinner,” Kennedy fondly recalled.ĭuring Kennedy’s decade of travels with Reynolds, he said it was the actor’s love for his fans that made an indelible impression on him. However, Kennedy said Reynolds thought of himself as an “average guy.” Throughout the 1970s and 80s, perhaps no other actor in the world was more sought after than Burt Reynolds. Reynolds’ acting career spanned six decades and the list of television shows and films he starred in is simply unbelievable. “He was the nicest, most giving person I think I’ve ever met in my life.” Gene Kennedy worked with Burt Reynolds for nearly a decade and says he will always be grateful for their friendship. “Every day, especially today, we think about him all the time. Now, a year later, Transportation Nation Network (TNN) spoke with Reynolds’ close friend and business partner, Gene Kennedy, about what made Reynolds so beloved. Jupiter, FL – One year ago today the world suddenly and sadly lost an unforgettable American movie legend, and the trucking industry lost a dear friend.īest known by truckers as Bo “Bandit” Darville from the 1977 movie classic Smokey and the Bandit, Burt Reynolds passed away at the age of 82 after suffering a heart attack on September 6, 2018.