The iconic 1977 movie “Smokey and the Bandit” starred Burt Reynolds and Sally Field, becoming a cultural touchstone and a significant box office success. As we approach its 50th anniversary, let’s explore where the stars of the film are now:
1. Burt Reynolds – Bo “Bandit” Darville
- Reynolds, one of the biggest movie stars of his time, enjoyed immense success in TV and film, ruling the box office for several years.
- Later in life, he earned a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination for his role in “Boogie Nights.”
- Reynolds passed away at the age of 82 on September 6, 2018.
2. Sally Field – Carrie, aka Frog
- Before “Smokey and the Bandit,” Field was known for TV roles in shows like “The Flying Nun” and “Gidget.”
- Post-Bandit, she transitioned to more dramatic roles and won two Academy Awards for “Norma Rae” (1980) and “Places in the Heart” (1985).
- In recent years, she played Aunt May in “The Amazing Spider-Man” series and starred in the movie “80 for Brady” (2022).
3. Jackie Gleason – Sheriff Buford T. Justice
- Gleason, a comedic legend, was already famous for “The Honeymooners” before “Bandit.”
- His iconic role in the film influenced the character of Boss Hogg in “The Dukes of Hazzard.”
- Gleason passed away in 1987 at the age of 71.
4. Mike Henry – Junior Justice
- After playing Junior Justice, Henry moved into writing and voice acting, portraying Tarzan in various movies and TV shows.
- Forced to retire in 1988 due to Parkinson’s disease, he passed away in 2021.
5. Jerry Reed – Cledus Snow
- Reed, a multi-talented country singer, wrote and performed the hit song “East Bound and Down.”
- He continued to perform until his death in 2008 and was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017.
6. Paul Williams – Little Enos Burdette
- Williams, known for his comedic role as Little Enos, is also a prolific songwriter, penning hits like “We’ve Only Just Begun.”
- He contributed to Daft Punk’s album “Random Access Memories” and appeared in the series “Goliath.” He is currently 83 years old.
7. Pat McCormick – Big Enos Burdette
- McCormick, who played Big Enos Burdette, continued his career in comedy and writing, working with legends like Johnny Carson.
- He retired in 1988 after a stroke partially paralyzed him and passed away in 2005.
The legacy of “Smokey and the Bandit” endures as a significant cultural phenomenon that left an indelible mark on Hollywood and popular culture.
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Smokey and the Bandit