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At the peak of his celebrity, Reynolds consistently ranked as the world's number one box office star in the annual Top Ten Movie Making Stars Poll, a title he held for five consecutive years (1978-1982). They find local legend Bo "Bandit" Darville at a rodeo at Lakewood Fairgrounds and offer him $80,000 to haul 400 cases of Coors from Texarkana (the closest place it could be legally sold at that time) to Atlanta in 28 hours. They quickly escape in one of Big Enos's 13 Cadillacs as police flood the racetrack. See The Release Time, Plot And Other Details. He was discovered at a Rams game and was invited to audition for the role of Tarzan. The film was a seismic hit that joined "Star Wars," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," and "Saturday Night Fever" as one of the year's highest grossers. He made an impression in many film and television appearances, especially as Big Enos in the "Smokey and the Bandit" series. He was an athletic professional football player at the time he entered the movies. It takes a lot of chutzpah to call yourself "The Great One," but in the case of Jackie Gleason, it was warranted. Yet he struggled throughout the '80s, producing more flops than hits. Still, for parents, it's a dumb-fun movie from their childhoods, and for older kids, it helps set some context for Burt Reynolds' successful '70s and '80s movie career beyond Norm MacDonald's legendary . Viewers seemed to enjoy following the misadventures of quirky, aerodynamic Sister Bertrille. At the time, using "fuck" would immediately require an R rating and this self-censorship allowed the film to avoid this rating and reach a much larger audience. Smokey and the Bandit (1977): Where Are They Now? - YouTube She next directed the 2000 film Beautiful, which starred Minnie Driver as a ruthless beauty queen. On September 6, 2018, the Bandit himself finally rode off into the sunset. He would also make TV appearances on "Fantasy Island," "General Hospital, "Lou Grant," and "The Six Million Dollar Man," among others. Bit roles on TV's "Starsky and Hutch," "The Jeffersons," "Roots," "The Bob Newhart Show," and more soon followed. Late American film and television actor, director & producer, Burt Reynolds played the lead role of Bo Darville, aka the Bandit, in Smokey and the Bandit. Do you think you know a lot about TV? ", If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. It was a heavy-duty Class 8 truck. Smokey and the Bandit was the second-highest-grossing domestic film of 1977 in the United States. Smokey and the Bandit is a 1977 American action comedy film starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jackie Gleason, Jerry Reed, Pat McCormick, Paul Williams and Mike Henry . A series of four made-for-TV spin-off films (Bandit Goes Country, Bandit Bandit, Beauty and the Bandit, and Bandit's Silver Angel) were produced in 1994 for Universal Television's Action Pack with actor Brian Bloom playing a younger version of the Bandit. Jerry Reed age, now, dead, family, children, net worth biography Anderson had numerous roles in film and television throughout his long career, including a bit part in "Smokey and the Bandit II." Born on October 20, 1922, Anderson got his start on Broadway. The story follows Bo \"Bandit\" Darville (Reynolds) and Cledus \"Snowman\" Snow (Reed), two bootleggers attempting to illegally transport 400 cases of Coors beer. Musicians such as Beegie Adair and George Tidwell[20] played on the soundtrack. He starred in an unsold sitcom pilot for ABC called "Tay-Gar." [6] It would become one of Reed's biggest hits and his signature song.[7]. Mike Henry. His final onscreen role was on an episode of "Quantum Leap," which aired just eight months before his death. This enthusiastic comment may have been the most memorable quote of the evening, and Field soon found herself the subject of numerous jokes and quips because of it. At the time, Reynolds was the top box office star in the world. Field went on to star in the quirky May-December romantic comedy Hello, My Name Is Doris, which premiered in 2015. Henry was first drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, and played for the team from 1958 to 1961. Mike Henry - IMDb It was used in the film as the bandit's truck in the movie. Returning to series television, Field won accolades for her recurring role on the hit drama ER, playing the bipolar mother of one of the doctors. One of his most acclaimed performances was in the controversial hit "Deliverance," and he also proved he had a gift for comedy with "The Longest Yard" in 1974. He had a small yet memorable part as truck driver Mr. B in "Smokey and the Bandit." [38], In 2014, petroleum company Mobil 1 produced television commercials, featuring then-NASCAR driver Tony Stewart, closely based on the film. "Smokey and the Bandit" is rooted deep in the rebellious spirit of the '70s. 10 Most Influential Drive-In Movies Of All Time, Field had given some of her best performances, Every Major Award Won By 80 For Brady's Main Cast, 10 Best Performances By Athletes (In Movies That Aren't About Sports), The Most Memorable Quotes From Smokey And The Bandit, We Still Haven't Seen Dune's Weirdest Creature, Star Wars Dodged A Bullet: Latest Rumors Suggest Lindelof Would Have Repeated Sequel Mistakes, All 13 Bruce Lee Movie Villains (& The Martial Artists Who Played Them). Angeles Rams (1962-64). ', Astrological Sign: Scorpio, Article Title: Sally Field Biography, Author: Biography.com Editors, Website Name: The Biography.com website, Url: https://www.biography.com/actors/sally-field, Publisher: A&E; Television Networks, Last Updated: April 15, 2021, Original Published Date: April 2, 2014. Behind the scenes, however, Field was miserable. 5. "We had so much fun," he recalled. Three actors from the main cast of The Dukes of Hazzard appear in small uncredited roles in Smokey and the Bandit: Ben Jones, John Schneider, and Sonny Shroyer (who played a police officer in both). This same restaurant was used for a scene in the 1983 Stephen King Movie Christine, which was ultimately cut in the final film (it can be viewed as a deleted scene on the DVD release of the film). Her youngest son, Samuel, is from her second marriage to producer Alan Greisman, which lasted from 1984 to 1993. The final stretch of Gleason's career found him starring in critical flops ("The Toy," "Caddyshack II") and a pleasant surprise (his final film, "Nothing in Common," in which he starred opposite Tom Hanks). Her career certainly peaked in the 70s, as she's been laying low in recent years without many public appearances.Pat McCormick was best known for his role as Big Enos Burdette, as well as his tall stature and walrus mustache. I do not remember a single time [he] did not make me laugh. Buford, with Junior along, engages in a high-speed pursuit and doggedly chases Bandit all the way to Georgia to retrieve Carrie and arrest the Bandit, while various comical mishaps cause his cruiser to disintegrate on the way. Embodying the laid-back and aloof attitude of the Bandit to perfection, Reynolds wasn't far out of his comfort zone as the charming lead. A segment of the CMT program Reel Eats used a sloppy joe-style recipe consisting of seasoned ground beef, corn, and sour cream. Smokey and the Bandit - Wikipedia The commercials were produced after Stewart mentioned that the movie was one of his favorites.[39]. One of his most acclaimed. Although he only appeared in the first film, no one can discount the contribution of Macon McCalman to the "Smokey and the Bandit" franchise. Reynolds being the country's biggest box office star at the time, Reed had little choice but to take the secondary role of Snowman, who drives the truckload of Coors beer while the Bandit speeds ahead in his black Pontiac Trans Am. ", Reynolds and DeLuise first worked together on the dark comedy, "The End," which Reynolds directed; a film about a terminally ill man who's thinking about checking out early. Field received raves for her performance and netted the Best Actress Oscar, beating out the likes of Jane Fonda, Marsha Mason, Jill Clayburgh and Bette Midler. [4] Just two days before production was to begin, Universal sent a "hatchet man" to Atlanta to inform Needham that the budget was being trimmed by $1 million. Her role as Carrie in Smokey and the Bandit allowed her to be the perfect comedic foil for yhe Bandit, and Field had no trouble playing the fish-out-of-water runaway bride who was just along for the ride. The show was canceled after one season, but Field became popular with television audiences so popular, in fact, that the network created another series for her. Born on December 30, 1932, McCalman helped create the Front Street Theatre in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, before moving to Broadway. He is an actor, known for The Cannonball Run (1981), Smokey and the Bandit (1977) and Legends of the Superheroes (1979). She was played by Sally Field. Before he was the Big Lebowski, David Huddleston was a reliable character actor who would steal the show whenever he popped up on screen. [44], Television censorship and alternative versions, second-highest-grossing domestic film of 1977, AFI's 100 Years100 Heroes and Villains, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Smokey and the Bandit at 35: A Case for the Genius of Hal Needham", "Greyhound Lakewood Park (Atlanta, Georgia, USA)", "Burt Reynolds' old Pontiac Trans Am replica sold for $317,500", "An Interview With Jim Wangers: Pontiac and the 1970's", "How the Bandit, Coors and a bunch of Makers changed the course of booze history", "Various Smokey And The Bandit (Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)", "Smokey and the Bandit, Box Office Information", "Burt Reynolds at the 2015 Macon Film Festival", "Seven Quirky Lowbrow Favorite Films of Highbrow Directors", "Remembering Hal Needham and the Birth of Redneck Cinema", "Smokey and the Bandit Film from RadioTimes", "Burt Reynolds' Bandit Trans Am sells for $450,000", "See a "New" Vintage Bandit Trans Am Approved by Burt Reynolds Himself", "Diablo Sandwich Recipe from CMT's Reel Eats", "Diablo Sandwich / "Diablo & Doc" From Smokey & the Bandit, Identified! Sadly, Reynolds passed away in 2018 due to a heart attack.Hal Needham started as a stuntman, but transitioned to directing, often working with Burt Reynolds after starting with Smokey and the Bandit. A native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Reynolds began his career in the late 60s, co-starring in the David Hemmings movie "The Best House in London," and he starred in the Donald Sutherland film "Alex in Wonderland" as well. In the original script, Carrie was called Kate while Big Enos and Little Enos were called Kyle and Dickey. He's perhaps best remembered for his collaborations with Reynolds, an off-screen pal who he worked with several times. We thought that if we could pull it off, then the audience might have as much fun as we did.". He leant his distinctive vocals to Bluth's "The Secret of NIMH," "An American Tail," "All Dogs Go to Heaven," and "A Troll in Central Park." Reynolds bounced between film and television for years, creating success wherever he went. Several other groups, such as the U.S. rock band Tonic and U.K.-based country cover band We Be Ploughin' have also covered it. Smokey and the Bandit 1977 | Maturity rating: 13+ | 1h 35m | Action A race car driver tries to transport an illegal beer shipment from Texas to Atlanta in under 28 hours, picking up a reluctant bride-to-be on the way. Williams played Little Enos Burdette in all three "Smokey and the Bandit" films, and he also had featured roles in the Marlon Brando drama "The Chase," "Battle For the Planet of the Apes" (under heavy ape makeup), and "Phantom of the Paradise," to name a few. His music has found a new generation of fans, and the documentary "Paul Williams Still Alive" gave his work and career some much overdue respect. Reconnecting to her craft, Field studied acting at the Actors Studio with famed teacher .css-47aoac{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#A00000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-47aoac:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}Lee Strasberg. Directed by Hal Nee. The film's theme song, "East Bound and Down", was written virtually overnight by Reed. It is now sold in all states as Coors ships it in refrigerated train cars and bottled locally and sold in different parts of the country including the eastern US states. [22] It premiered at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, where it performed badly. She found great success with the family drama Brothers & Sisters, playing the matriarch of the Walker family. Field told Good Morning America, "We had known each other about three days, four days at that point. The film is the sequel to the 1977 film Smokey and the Bandit . Fans of the film will remember him on the CB radio communicating with the Bandit, letting him know he was "gearjammin' this rollin' refinery" for him. It wasn't until "Smokey and the Bandit" rode into theaters that Gleason finally became a bankable movie star. McCormick, like Gleason, Reed, and Williams, starred in all three "Bandit" movies and he also made appearances in the Robert Altman film "A Wedding," "The Gong Show Movie," Mel Brooks' "History of the World, Part I," and more. He had several hit songs throughout his lengthy career, winning three Grammy Awards out of nine nominations. Wealthy Texan Big Enos Burdette and his son Little Enos have sponsored a racer in Atlanta's Southern Classic and want to celebrate in style when he wins, so they are seeking a trucker willing to bootleg Coors Beer to Atlanta for their refreshment. Watch Smokey and the Bandit | Netflix The hood scoop on these cars says "6.6 LITRE", which, in 1977, would have denoted an Oldsmobile 403-equipped car or a non-W-72, 180 hp version of the 400 Pontiac engine. That same year, Field entered a new phase of her career with the television movie Sybil. Born on August 15, 1936, Henry first rose to fame as an NFL linebacker, playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1958-61 and the Los Angeles Rams from 1962-64. Carrie is a dancer and runaway bride. Many know Paul Williams as the composer of hits like "We've Only Just Begun," "The Rainbow Connection," and "Evergreen," but the singer/songwriter has also enjoyed a considerable career in movies and television, playing a variety of dramatic and comedic roles. As the New York Times reports, Jerry Reed was an established star by the time he appeared in "Smokey and the Bandit," with numerous Top 40 country hits and a handful of acting roles to his name. After Brothers & Sisters went off the air in 2011, Field returned to the big screen with the 2012 summer blockbuster The Amazing Spider-Man. With the help of his partner Cledus "Snowman" Snow (Jerry Reed) and runaway bride Carrie (Sally Field), Bo evades rascally Texas sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason), aka "Smokey," to get that beer to Big Enos Burdette's (Pat McCormick) celebration. Field enjoyed making the film, but remembers that virtually the entire project was improvised. In "Smokey and the Bandit II," he played John Conn, a slimy politician running against Big Enos (Pat McCormick) to become Governor of Texas. She then had a supporting role in the 2003 big-screen comedy Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde, starring Reese Witherspoon. In particular, the scene where Sheriff Justice unknowingly encounters the Bandit in a roadside diner (a "choke and puke" in CB lingo) was not in the original story but was rather Gleason's idea. The American road action-comedy, Smokey and the Banditreleased back in 1977 and went on to receive a cult status over the years. Mike Henry obituary: actor and NFL player dies at 84 - Legacy.com Smokey And The Bandit Cast: Where They Are Now - Screen Rant Before long, Field was contemplating a return to series television. Many of the film's original sounds were replaced. Its lead, Burt Reynolds, was already a household name for his work in other notable redneck-exploitation films, but his turn as the Bandit elevated him to the level of superstardom. Reynolds remained active in front of the camera until his death from a heart attack at age 82. [37], The first run in 2007 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the movie, The Bandit Run was the brainchild of Dave Hall, owner of Restore A Muscle Car. ", Reynolds cherished his relationship with DeLuise, and told an interviewer that hewas "the best and can't be replaced. Field was just as thrilled to be winning her second Academy Award as she was for her first, perhaps even more so. (It was almost going to be titled"Smokey Is the Bandit."). He disclosed toDaily News, "When my addiction to alcohol and cocaine outran my need to be in front of an audience, I hid out. In "Smokey and the Bandit II," Huddleston played a character named John Conn. Mel Brooks previously cast Huddleston in the comedy classic "Blazing Saddles," and the two worked together again in the musical version of "The Producers" in 2005. After passing Buford's badly damaged cruiser on the roadside, Bandit gets on the CB and initially directs him to the Burdettes, but then respectfully gives his real locationright behind Buford, who continues his chase leaving Junior behind, and with more parts falling off his cruiser as he limps off after Bandit. During part of that time (1961-64) he was under "Smokey and the Bandit" came out in the summer of 1977, and became the second highest-grossing film of the year, right behind "Star Wars." Although his career experienced many ups and downs, Burt Reynolds remained a star for over 50 years, starring in many iconic films. On the big screen, Anderson had roles in such films as "Ride the High Country," "The Satan Bug," and "Eight Men Out." [30] Upon meeting Reynolds, Billy Bob Thornton told him that Americans from the region where the film is set consider the film to be less cinema and more documentary. He succumbed to the disease and from complications from CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) on January 8, 2021, at the age of 84. Reed also provided the film's infectious soundtrack, including the movie's theme song, "Eastbound and Down,"which went to No. Smokey and the Bandit was responsible for introducing two new generations of the Pontiac Trans Am to the public. A movie star, a TV star, and a country music star rounded out the main cast of Smokey and the Bandit, and musician Jerry Reed gave a surprising performance in the film. One of the elephants at the Topeka Zoo is having health problems right now, and it turns out that she was a movie star! As Reynolds recalled, "The fact that Gleason's career was coming to an end as Mr. Television on one side and starting again in movies." From the main Gunsmoke cast still alive, Buck Taylor who played 'Newly' is still with us. Try our quiz and enter to win $500!Click below to check the trivia questionSmokey and the Bandit was one of the highest. Besides his typical action/exploitation roles that made him famous, Reynolds also began taking on more serious roles as he got older, and was even nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his turn in 1997's Boogie Nights. [33] Reynolds was given the 1977 vehicle used during promotion of the film as a gift, though the car itself never actually appeared in the film. SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT (1977) Cast Members Then And Now Today,. .css-m6thd4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#323232;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-m6thd4:hover{color:link-hover;}}Jennifer Garner Loves This Drugstore Skin Tint, Kerry Washington Loves This Game Changer Retinol, Matthew Perry Removes Keanu Reeves from His Book, Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson Might Be Sibs, Jennifer Garner's Hair-Thickening Secret Is $28, 10 Surprising Facts about the Phantom of the Opera, Arnold Schwarzenegger, King of the Viral PSA Video, Dracula: 10 Actors Who Played the Infamous Vampire, 10 Things You Might Not Know about Jeremy Renner, Adam Sandler's Favorite Sneakers Are on Sale Now. [8] Niver provided much of the western attire worn in the film, as well as the custom-made sheriff's uniforms (waist size 64") that Gleason wore throughout the film. By the film's ending, the final surviving Trans Am and LeMans were both barely running and the other cars had become parts donors to keep them running. While the Snowman drives the truck carrying the beer, the Bandit drives a Pontiac Trans Am to distract law enforcement (called blocking) and keep the attention off the Snowman. Dalton is a freelance writer and novelist from Orlando Florida. Smokey and the Bandit was one of the most beloved movies of the 1970s. He started acting more regularly in the 1970s, popping up in films like "The Shaggy D.A.," "Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson," and "A Wedding." A group of Trans Am owners and fans of the movie take part in an annual road trip from Texarkana to Jonesboro, recreating the route taken by the characters in the film. "I'd landed in the drama department, and it just kind of saved me," she later explained to Good Housekeeping magazine. Her pregnancy was hidden on the series using creative shots and the folds of her billowy nun's habit. The Trans Am used for said jump was equipped with a booster rocket, the same type that was used by Evel Knievel during his failed Snake River Canyon jump. Watch on. She landed the leading role in the television series Gidget, which was based on the popular 1959 Sandra Dee film by the same name. Michael Dennis Henry was born August 15th, 1936. He spent the next 7 years of his life in a care facility until passing in 2005.Paul Williams might have his only recognizable role as Little Enos Burdette, because he actually spent most of his career as a singer and songwriter. In October 2020, a Smokey and the Bandit TV series was revealed to be in development, with a pilot written by David Gordon Green and Brian Sides and also executive produced with his Rough House confederates Jody Hill, Danny McBride and Brandon James, as well as Seth MacFarlane and Erica Huggins of Fuzzy Door. His flamboyant comedic stylings made him a favorite of Mel Brooks, who cast him in six films: "The Twelve Chairs," "Blazing Saddles," "Silent Movie," "History of the World: Part I," "Spaceballs," and "Robin Hood: Men in Tights.". Called Smoke is the Bandit and playing on Stewart's nickname, the commercials featured him as the Bandit opposite commentators Darrell Waltrip as the Snowman and Jeff Hammond as Buford T. Justice. Smokey and the Following his turn as the Bandit, Reynolds found great success making other films with director Needham, and projects like The Cannonball Run in 1981 were smash hits for the duo. Today, Mike Henry might be best known now for his role asJunior, the dimwitted son of Buford T. Justice, but before his" Smokey and the Bandit" fame he was a legitimate football star. That success carried him through to the end of his life in 1987. Continuing to work behind the scenes, Field directed and wrote the 1996 holiday television movie The Christmas Tree, which starred Julie Harris. "There are times in your life that are so indelible, they never fade away. While sports fans know Terry Bradshaw best as the quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers and for being a four-time Superbowl winner, he also has enjoyed a lengthy post-football career as a sportscaster, endorser, and actor (per Fox Sports). Coors is still brewed just outside Denver, Colorado. She has two sons, Peter and Eli, from her first marriage. There was, however, one "promotion" car that traveled hither and thither to plug the movie, which had an initial budget of $1,000,000 and ended up . Reynolds is referenced by name in several early episodes of the series. Field then went on to acclaimed performances in the dramas "Norma Rae," which won her first Academy Award, "Absence of Malice," "Places in the Heart," which won Field a second Oscar, "Steel Magnolias," "Forrest Gump," "Mrs. Doubtfire," and "Lincoln." It was released on May 27, 1977. The Bandit takes the bet on the risky and unprecedented task, and recruits his partner Cledus "Snowman" Snow to drive the truck, while Bandit drives a black Pontiac Trans Am bought in advance from the Burdettes as a "blocker" to divert attention away from the truck and its illegal cargo. "Smokey and the Bandit" took Burt Reynolds' movie career up to superstar level, and with his effortless charisma and charm on full display, he also cemented his reputation as one of the major big-screen sex symbols of the decade. Late American singer-actor,Jerry Reed played the role of Cledus Snow, aka the Snowman, in thisHal Needham directorial. He also recorded most of the soundtrack for Smokey and the Bandit. Film critic Leonard Maltin gave the film a good rating (3 stars out of a possible 4) and characterized it as "about as subtle as The Three Stooges, but a classic compared to the sequels and countless rip-offs which followed". Cora played "Charlotte" in "Smokey and the Bandit II" in 1980. A good man.". The cars were 1976 models, the engines fitted to them were 455ci power plants, the last year these engines were offered for sale before withdrawal. In the U.K., the heavily dubbed version was shown for several years, particularly by the BBC. The original Smokey and the Bandit truck can be found in the state of California. Fields and Reynolds met on the "Bandit" shoot, and they soon began anintense but troubled relationship that lasted until 1982. Unfortunately, several actors who made those films so special are no longer with us. (McCormick also became infamous for running across the "Tonight Show" set naked in 1974.). Gleason died of liver cancer on June 24, 1987, at the age of 71. 4. [5] Sally Field only accepted the part after her agent advised her that she needed a big movie role on her rsum. Much of the surrounding scene comes from that immediate vicinity. Then DeLuise came aboard "Smokey and the Bandit II," "Cannonball Run II," and the big screen adaption of the hit musical "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. But it was "Smokey and the Bandit" that cemented Reynolds' status as an A-list actor, and a sex symbol for women all over the world. Mainly a comedic actor, he earned the nickname \"The Great One\" for his unique style and prominence. In 2017, she signed on to join Emma Stone, Jonah Hill and Justin Theroux in the dark comedy series Maniac, adapted from the 2014 Norwegian series that shares the same name, and that year she also returned to Broadway as Amanda Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie, for which she earned a Tony nomination. The truck has a VT903 Cummins engine, 13-speed transmission, and 3.70 rear axles. Its lack of additives and preservatives meant that Coors could spoil in one week without refrigeration, explaining the film's 28-hour deadline. Reynolds also loved working with Gleason, recalling, "Every day was wonderful. Sally as Carrie essayed the role of a runaway bride in Smokey and the Bandit,who jumps into Bandit's car unknowingly. The film features the custom clothing and costuming of Niver Western Wear of Fort Worth, Texas. He was eventually given his own series, the short-lived "The Dom DeLuise Show." Released in 1977 to decent reviews, the film's real power came from its cultural impact and overwhelming popularity with audiences. "Buford T. Justice" was the name of a real Florida Highway Patrolman known to Reynolds' father, who was once Police Chief of Riviera Beach, Florida. The film starred Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jerry Reed, and Jackie Gleason. An entertainment pioneer of the stage and screen, Gleason's career got a second wind thanks to his starring role in the "Smokey and the Bandit" franchise, playing the titular Smokey. That's one of the reasons he and I got along so well. (Not to mention a notorious disrobedphoto shoot in a 1972 issue of "Cosmopolitan," which helped turn him into a sex symbol.). The youngest of two children born to actress Margaret Field, the future star grew up in show. Try our quiz and enter to win $500!Click below to check the trivia question He penned jokes for Phyllis Diller, Red Skelton, and Johnny Carson, and wrote episodes of "Get Smart" and "The Andy Griffith Show." The cast of Smokey and the Bandit may not have been large, but it had enough star power to cement its place in cinema history. ", Born on August 1, 1933, DeLuise got his start on the stage before moving to the screen. Reed had made two previous appearances on screen with Burt Reynolds in Gator from 1976, and W.W. and the Dixie Dance Kings in 1975, and acted up until his final role in 1998's The Waterboy. Field's stepfather was a strict disciplinarian who expected faithful obedience from Field, her older brother, and half-sister Princess. (Reynolds later regretted breaking up with Field and said, "She was the love of my life and I screwed the relationship up.").