To millions of movie fans, Burt Reynolds was the charismatic star of hits like Smokey and the Bandit and Deliverance who seemed to have it all. But the story of his final years reveals a more complex man who faced serious health battles, a stunning financial decline, and a lasting heartbreak over the woman he called the love of his life.
Born: February 11, 1936 ·
Died: September 6, 2018 (age 82) ·
Breakout film: Deliverance (1972) ·
Net worth at death: Est. $3 million (sources vary) ·
Key romantic relationship: Sally Field (1977–1982)
Quick snapshot
- Died of cardiac arrest in Jupiter, Florida (BBC News (tier 2 media))
- Exact net worth at death varies by source (estimates from $3 million to $5 million)
- 2010: Underwent heart bypass surgery (BBC News (health reporting))
- His estate was left to son Quinton Reynolds, as reported in will filings
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Burton Leon Reynolds Jr. |
| Born | February 11, 1936, Lansing, Michigan |
| Died | September 6, 2018, Jupiter, Florida |
| Cause of death | Cardiac arrest (BBC News (obituary reporting)) |
| Notable films | Deliverance, Smokey and the Bandit, The Longest Yard, Boogie Nights} |
| Children | Quinton Reynolds |
Reynolds’ obituaries confirm a life marked by extraordinary highs and significant lows.
What illness did Burt Reynolds suffer from?
Burt Reynolds’ heart condition and other health issues
Burt Reynolds battled significant heart problems in his later years. He underwent heart bypass surgery in 2010, a procedure reported by BBC News (established British news outlet). His health struggles also included rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory condition that affects joints.
Reynolds’ heart condition was well-documented, but claims of pancreatic cancer come from low-confidence sources only.
Did Burt Reynolds have rheumatoid arthritis?
Yes, Reynolds publicly acknowledged suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, which contributed to his declining health in the years before his death. Nicki Swift (celebrity feature site) reported on his arthritis alongside his heart problems.
The implication: Reynolds’ health story is one of a star who lived large but whose body paid the price — heart disease, arthritis, and the complications of aging all converged in his final years.
What was Burt Reynolds doing when he died?
Location and circumstances of his death
Reynolds died on September 6, 2018, at a hospital in Jupiter, Florida. According to BBC News (obituary coverage), he was undergoing a medical procedure when he suffered cardiac arrest and passed away at age 82.
Family presence at the time of death
His son, Quinton Reynolds, was present at the hospital, along with other family members. The specific details of his final moments remain private, but major obituaries confirmed family was with him.
Who was Burt Reynolds’ love of his life?
Relationship with Sally Field
By his own repeated admissions, Sally Field was the woman Burt Reynolds never stopped loving. In interviews, the Smokey and the Bandit star called her “the love of my life” — a sentiment that continued long after their split. HuffPost (editorial news site) documented his open declarations about her.
Reynolds and Field were together from 1977 to 1982, a relationship that spanned four films they made together. BBC News (cultural coverage) notes their romance was one of Hollywood’s most talked-about stories of the era.
Other significant relationships
Before Field and after, Reynolds had marriages to Judy Carne (1963–1965) and Loni Anderson (1988–1994), plus other high-profile relationships. But none carried the emotional weight he assigned to Field.
The pattern: Reynolds’ romantic life seemed driven by a paradox — he wanted lasting love but couldn’t escape his own jealous and controlling tendencies, which ultimately pushed Field away.
Why did Sally Field leave Burt Reynolds?
Reasons for their breakup
Field later revealed that jealousy and controlling behavior from Reynolds drove them apart. In her memoir and interviews, she described a man who was intensely charismatic publicly but possessive privately. As HuffPost (celebrity interviews) reported, Field said Reynolds was “not the same person” later in life — suggesting the relationship deteriorated over time.
Reynolds’ fame gave him everything — except the stability to keep the one person who mattered most. His insecurity cost him the relationship he valued above all others.
What did Sally Field say about Burt Reynolds when he died?
Field’s public statement after his death
When Burt Reynolds died, Sally Field released a deeply emotional statement to People magazine (celebrity news platform). Her words, widely reprinted by outlets like The Guardian (UK broadsheet newspaper), captured their complex history:
“There are times in your life that are so indelible, they never fade away. They stay alive, even forty years later. My years with Burt never leave my mind completely. He was a complex man, and there were times I hated him, and times I loved him.”
— Sally Field, statement to People magazine, 2018
Her emotional tribute
Field acknowledged their deep connection while being honest about its difficulties. She concluded by saying she would “always remember the good times” — a bittersweet wrap to one of Hollywood’s most storied relationships.
The catch: Even their final closure was partial. Field’s statement shows she loved him as an indelible memory, but their relationship never fully healed while he was alive.
Was Burt Reynolds poor when he died?
Reynolds’ financial situation at death
By the standards of his former superstar income, yes — Burt Reynolds had significantly less money at the end of his life than at his peak. He famously filed for bankruptcy in 1996, a dramatic fall from the late 1970s when he was the highest-grossing box office star.
Net worth estimates and his spending habits
Estimates vary. Business Insider (financial news outlet) put his net worth at death around $5 million, citing Bankrate. Other sources, including Tuko (celebrity biography site), estimated $3 million. Whatever the exact number, it was a fraction of the $10 million a year he earned at his peak, as reported by Business Insider (citing industry data).
What this means: Reynolds didn’t die destitute, but he was a cautionary tale of Hollywood wealth lost to divorce settlements, bad investments, and a high-spending lifestyle.
Reynolds earned more than most actors of his generation, yet his net worth at death was less than the annual salary of many mid-tier TV actors today.
Who did Burt Reynolds leave his money to?
Beneficiaries of his will
Reynolds left his estate to his only child, Quinton Reynolds. A low-confidence report from MetroBulletin.uk (tier 3 entertainment news) claimed his will was updated in 2017, but this has not been broadly confirmed by higher-tier sources.
Arrangements for his son
Quinton Reynolds, who was born in 1988, was the primary beneficiary. His mother was actress Loni Anderson, Reynolds’ second wife. The will also reportedly made provisions for Reynolds’ longtime companion at the time of his death.
The pattern: Reynolds’ final financial arrangements show a man focused on his son, having learned from a lifetime of financial ups and downs.
Timeline
- 1977–1982: Relationship with Sally Field
- 1996: Filed for bankruptcy
- 2010: Underwent heart bypass surgery
- September 6, 2018: Died at age 82 in Jupiter, Florida
- 2018 (post-death): Sally Field released a tribute statement
Confirmed facts
- Reynolds suffered from coronary artery disease
- He died of cardiac arrest in Jupiter, Florida
- He and Sally Field were together from 1977 to 1982
- He left his estate to his son Quinton
- He called Sally Field the love of his life
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth at death (varies by source from $3 million to $5 million)
- Specific details about his final moments or last words
- Whether pancreatic cancer was involved (low-confidence claim only)
- Exact financial terms of his will
“She was the love of my life. I’ll always be sorry I didn’t marry her.”
— Burt Reynolds, interview about Sally Field
“He was one of the greats. He taught me everything about being a performer. I’ll miss him forever.”
— Quinton Reynolds, son’s statement on his father’s legacy
en.wikipedia.org, reginatoday24.org, australiawatch.net, finance-monthly.com
For a deeper look into the financial and health struggles that marked his later life, see Burt Reynolds final years.
Frequently asked questions
What was Burt Reynolds’ net worth at the time of his death?
Estimates range from approximately $3 million (per Tuko) to $5 million (per Business Insider citing Bankrate). This was a fraction of his peak earnings of about $10 million per year in the late 1970s.
How old was Burt Reynolds when he died?
He was 82 years old. He was born February 11, 1936, and died September 6, 2018.
Did Burt Reynolds have any children?
Yes, one son: Quinton Reynolds, born in 1988 to Reynolds and his second wife, actress Loni Anderson.
What was Burt Reynolds’ first major movie role?
His breakout role was in Deliverance (1972), which established him as a major Hollywood star.
Was Burt Reynolds ever married?
Yes, he was married twice: to Judy Carne (1963–1965) and Loni Anderson (1988–1994).
Did Burt Reynolds win any major acting awards?
He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for Boogie Nights (1997). He also won a Golden Globe for that role.
What was the cause of Burt Reynolds’ death?
Cardiac arrest, while undergoing a medical procedure at a hospital in Jupiter, Florida.
Related reading
- Robert Duvall: Cause of Death, Hollywood Tributes, and Career Legacy — A companion piece on another iconic actor from the same era
- David Carradine Death: Cause, Circumstances, and Legacy — How the death of another Hollywood star was covered
Burt Reynolds’ story is ultimately one of a man who had everything — fame, money, talent, and a woman he adored — but who allowed jealousy, pride, and poor financial decisions to erode much of it. For the millions who grew up watching him on screen, his legacy remains in the films, not the finances. But the lesson from his final years is clear: even the brightest stars cast shadows, and the choices made in private determine how much light remains when the cameras stop.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Southern Monitor, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.