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It is likely that you read at least one of the post mortem assessments of Burt Reynolds' life and career in the days following his death on September 6 at the age of 82.
And you've probably noticed references to Reynolds' television career in his professional story.
But do not downplay the impact of television on Reynolds' public personality and vice versa. Certainly, in the years before his breakthrough into the big screen in "Deliverance", he was not a big TV star, even with maximum imagination. But Reynolds was, with his friend Clint Eastwood, one of the first small-screen actors of his generation to move into the world of cinema. In his case, who came after almost 15 years working in the small screen trenches as an actor, appearing on dozens of series, including the memorable ("The Twilight Zone", "Perry Mason", "Alfred Hitchcock Presents") 66 ") and forgettable (" Ripcord "," Navajo Joe "," The Brothers Brannagan "," Armored Command ").
The success of television, as it was, came to Reynolds in small steps – a season of three seasons (as Comanche Quint Quint Asper) on "Gunsmoke" followed by a season with "Hawk" followed by a season on ABC's "Dan August." Then "Deliverance" arrived in 1972, and Reynolds went from a fine TV performer to chewing gum, the woman, the self-deprecating film star wiseguy imitated by Norm Macdonald on Saturday night Live. "
Unlike many other television actors of his generation – notably William Shatner (on "Star Trek") and Adam West (on "Batman") – Reynolds' small-screen magnetism was transferred to the big screen and he was able to leave his television. alter-ego (s) behind him when he reached the end of his thirties. But the small screen remained his devoted ally – his appearances in Johnny Carson's 'Tonight Show' in the '70s and' 80s were must-haves of the night before NBC adapted the slogan. And when his film career took a bath, he returned to where he was, long before he was in fashion, resurrecting himself on television – first as a private detective on "B.L. Stryker "(1989-90) against Ossie Davis and Rita Moreno, then as a high school football coach (and former NFL star) Wood Newton on the CBS sitcom" Evening Shade ", aired for four seasons (1990-94) . Marilu Henner, Hal Holbrook and Elizabeth Ashley.
In the years to come, Reynolds s' snuck ("The Golden Girls", "Cybill", "Archer") and returned, again and again, to small screen roles; nothing seemed too far for a guy who never seemed to take himself too seriously.
Burt Reynolds helped bridge the seemingly insurmountable gap that existed once upon a time between the genres of television and big screen cinema – leaving an indelible mark on both media and, according to a metaphor, the ex-college footballer would forever appreciate what makes it a level playing field.
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