Burt Reynolds on Screen

January 1, 2020
In this tribute to popular stuntman-turned-star Reynolds, Byrne looks at the 60-year career of the attention-drawing actor, from his first television part in the NBC series Riverboat (1959-61) to his final movie role in The Last Movie Star (2017). His was a professional life of contrasts, a mix of roles in mostly forgettable television series and only sometimes memorable movie appearances. For example, in the space of a couple of years, Reynolds starred in the short-lived ABC series Dan August (1970-71), then went on to perform an indelible role in John Boorman's Academy Award-nominated Deliverance, based on the novel by James Dickey. Each entry in this informative and enjoyable overview opens with a description of the program or film, which is followed by commentary and further discussion and analysis. Scattered throughout the filmography are interviews with a number of Reynolds' collaborators and costars that add depth, insight, and no little humor. Reynolds' many fans will appreciate the care that went into this appreciation of the actor Byrne calls the greatest movie star of them all. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)