Burt Reynolds’ Career Regrets: Feuds, Flops, and Missed Opportunities

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Burt Reynolds, the charismatic Hollywood icon known for his roles in films like *Smokey and the Bandit* and *Deliverance*, faced both triumphs and tribulations throughout his career. While he became one of the most popular stars of the 1970s and early 1980s, his later years were marked by professional missteps, including a notorious feud with co-star Kathleen Turner and missed opportunities that could have reshaped his legacy.

Reynolds, who passed away in 2018, reflected on his career in interviews, revealing regrets about turning down iconic roles and candidly discussing his tumultuous experience filming *Switching Channels* with Turner. The 1988 romantic comedy, a remake of *The Front Page*, became a professional low point for Reynolds, who described Turner as the only leading lady he “couldn’t get along with at all.”

In a 2018 interview with *The Palm Springs Desert Sun*, Reynolds admitted, “She had this thing about me, and she was probably right. I didn’t know what the hell I was doing. But, at least I was trying to be nice to everybody.” When asked if he was referring to Turner, Reynolds simply replied, “Yep.”

Turner, known for her roles in *Romancing the Stone* and *Body Heat*, offered her own perspective in a 2018 interview with *Vanity Fair*. “Working with Burt Reynolds was terrible,” she said, recalling that he made her cry on the first day of filming. “He said something about not taking second place to a woman. His behavior was shocking. It never occurred to me that I wasn’t someone’s equal.” The two never collaborated again.

Reynolds’ career began to falter in the late 1980s, as his roles became repetitive and his films underperformed at the box office. Despite his earlier success, which included five consecutive years as Hollywood’s highest-grossing actor, Reynolds struggled to regain his former glory. His later career highlights included an Academy Award-nominated performance in *Boogie Nights*, but he often lamented the roles he turned down.

Among his biggest regrets was declining the role of Han Solo in *Star Wars*. “This is where my IQ drops about 40 points,” Reynolds admitted. “Star Wars. That was the one.” The part ultimately went to Harrison Ford, who became a cultural icon. Reynolds also passed on the role of Garrett Breedlove in *Terms of Endearment*, a decision he called “the biggest one” he regretted. James L. Brooks offered him the part, but Reynolds chose to star in *Stroker Ace* instead, a film that bombed and earned five Razzie nominations. Jack Nicholson, who took the role in *Terms of Endearment*, won an Oscar for his performance.

Despite these setbacks, Reynolds remained a beloved figure in Hollywood, remembered for his charm, humor, and contributions to cinema. His career serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of fame and the enduring impact of both successes and regrets.