By Molly Given — Written on Sep 06, 2018
How did Burt Reynolds die? The 82-year-old actor died Thursday morning in a Florida hospital shortly after being admitted. Reynolds is a well-known actor mostly known for his roles in Cannonball Run, Smokey and the Bandit, and Boogie Nights.
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Fans are mourning the loss of this iconic actor. Our condolences to his family and friends.
Here is what we know so far about the tragic death of Burt Reynolds:
1. How he died.
The actor passed away from a heart attack. TMZ reported Burt was transported to a Florida hospital after going into cardiac arrest. His family was by his side when he passed.
2. He has been having health issues for years.
In March 2010 after having what his manager Erik Kritzer classified as a “planned bypass operation denyied reports that Reynolds had to be rushed to the ER.
3. Reynolds was surprised he was unhealthy.
Reynolds told People he had no idea that his arteries were closed when he went to his doctor for a physical. “My doctor said I needed to undergo bypass surgery immediately. I went home and shaved then had the operation the next day.” Reynolds added he “was a heart attack waiting to happen,” admitting he felt “fabulous” after the surgery and even declared he wanted to “live to be 199.”
4. He has had to use a cane over the past few years.
Speaking on the Jonathan Ross Show on ITV, he said in 2015: “I did all my own stunts, which is why I can’t walk now.”
5. He also did a stint in rehab.
“I felt that in spite of the fact that I am supposedly a big tough guy, I couldn’t beat prescription drugs on my own.”
6. He wrote a memoir.
In the book, he calls actress Sally Fields the love of his life. “Even now, it’s hard on me. I don’t know why I was so stupid,” he said. “Men are like that, you know. You find the perfect person and then you do everything you can to screw it up.”
7. People are mourning.
Molly Given is a writer with an entertainment/ celeb expertise living in Philadelphia. She is a lover of all things to do with mystery and magic in life. When she’s not writing her fingers off she can be found planning her next adventure in a new part of the world.