Aspired to be a professional football player until a knee injury sidelined him
When asked to fill in for Johnny Carson as host of the Tonight Show in 1971, he invited ex-wife Judy Carne to be a guest, even though the two had not spoken since their divorce years earlier
Big break came with the 1972 film Deliverance
Famously posed nude for a Cosmopolitan centerfold in April 1972
Opened the Burt Reynolds Dinner Theatre in Jupiter, FL, in 1979
Was offered the lead in Terms of Endearment (1983), but turned it down due to a prior commitment to appear in Stroker Ace (1983)
A broken jaw suffered on the set of the 1984 film City Heat caused a severe joint disorder that confused doctors and spawned rumors that he had AIDS
Awards
1998Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture:winner
1998BAFTA Film Awards-Best Actor in a Supporting Role:nominated
1997Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role:nominated
1997Chicago Film Critics Association-Best Supporting Actor:winner
1997New York Film Critics Circle-Best Supporting Actor:winner
1997National Society of Film Critics-Best Supporting Actor:winner
1997Los Angeles Film Critics Association-Best Supporting Actor:winner
1997Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role:nominated
1997Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture:nominated
1993Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy:nominated
1992Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy:winner
1992Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series:nominated
1991Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series:winner
1991People's Choice Awards-Favorite Male Performer in a New TV Series:winner
1991Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy:nominated
1980Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy:nominated