American cinema legend, Burt Reynolds, has died on Thursday, his publicist announced.
The famously suave 82-year-old, a huge box office draw at his peak who earned a reputation as a hard-drinking playboy, suffered a heart attack at a hospital in Florida, his manager Erik Kritzer told the Hollywood Reporter.
Reynolds, whose career spanned six decades, earned a Golden Globe, Oscar nomination and several critics’ awards for his portrayal of porn director Jack Horner in the 1997 film Boogie Nights.
Last year, he received critical acclaim for his performance in the indie movie The Last Movie Star.
The actor, who was known to have a hot temper, starred in several critically acclaimed movies but leaned more toward popular fare often panned by critics.
He was considered box office gold in the 1970s and early 80s with such films as Smokey and the Bandit, Starting Over, and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
Reynolds notably turned down an offer to play the space scoundrel Han Solo in the first Star Wars and the role of James Bond.
He also turned down an offer to play retired astronaut Garrett Breedlove in the 1983 hit movie Terms of Endearment.
The role, which he later regretted turning down, was taken up by Jack Nicholson, who took home an Oscar.
