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In today's video, we look back at the main cast of the 1977 action-comedy, Smokey and the Bandit. As Reynolds recalled, "The fact that Gleason's career was coming to an end as Mr. Television on one side and starting again in movies." In a recently published interview with Variety, Field talked about her relationship with Reynolds, who she met on the set of their 1977 film "Smokey and the Bandit" and dated off and on for . Yet despite earning an Oscar nomination for that dramatic supporting turn, he struggled with his subsequent film roles. In it, she was the secret cargo being transported across the country." However, in more recent years, the original version has been shown (on ITV, a commercial channel), usually with the stronger language edited out, often quite awkwardly. Gleason reprised his role as Sheriff Justice in the two theatrically released Smokey and the Bandit films, and he made a handful of major appearances throughout the 1980s. [14] The Trans Ams were actually 1976-model cars with 1977 front ends (from 1970 to 1976, both the Firebird/Trans Am and Chevrolet Camaro have two round headlights and in 1977, the Firebird/Trans Am was changed to four rectangular headlights, and the Camaro remained unchanged). (Reynolds later regretted breaking up with Field and said, "She was the love of my life and I screwed the relationship up."). The pilot was a spoof on Tarzan and other jungle heroes. No relation to Burt, George Reynolds played the no-nonsense Sheriff Branford in the first "Smokey and the Bandit," and he hilariously crossed paths with Sheriff Justice in the film. Gleason earned five Emmy nominations for his various shows between 1953-1956, but sadly no wins. He was one of the most successful actors of the 70s, and is still considered a sex symbol by many. DeLuise found a new generation of fans thanks to his voiceover work for animation, most notably with director Don Bluth. [33] Reynolds was given the 1977 vehicle used during promotion of the film as a gift, though the car itself never actually appeared in the film. Read about Smokey and the Bandit cast to knowaboutthe Smokey and the Bandit characters in detail. In addition to playing Junior in all three "Bandit" films, Henry had previously worked with Reynolds in "The Longest Yard," and appeared in the John Wayne war film "The Green Berets," the western "Rio Lobo," and the dystopian thriller "Soylent Green." Williams was fresh off of his turn as the villainous Swan in 1974's The Phantom of the Paradise, and he would continue to act periodically while still penning hit songs for other artists. She has been out of the spotlight for decades.Sally Field played Carrie, or Frog, which is one of dozens of roles she has taken on throughout her career. Henry died at age 84 in Burbank, Calif. on January 8 from chronic traumatic encephalopathy and Parkinson's disease, according to social media posts. Except for Gleason, the original actors mostly redubbed their lines for the television version. Among his biggest hits were "Guitar Man," which was covered by Elvis Presley, "A Thing Called Love," "When You're Hot, You're Hot," and the theme song from "Smokey and the Bandit," "East Bound and Down" (which, of course, later served as the title for Danny McBride's HBO series). He had numerous film and television credits throughout his lengthy career, including a bit role in "Smokey and the Bandit II. Reynolds and Field began dating during the filming.[13]. contract with Warner Brothers and played a variety of bit parts (TV's. He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1958-61) and the Los Field won Academy Awards for her performances in Norma Rae (1979) and Places in the Heart (1984), as well as Emmys for the 1976 TV movie Sybil and her later contributions to ER and Brothers & Sisters. Returning to the big screen, Field appeared in 1977's Smokey and the Bandit, playing a runaway bride who catches a ride from a trucker (played by Burt Reynolds). Strasberg became a powerful mentor, encouraging Field to move away from her goody-two-shoes television image. Do you think you know a lot about TV? Released in 1977 to decent reviews, the film's real power came from its cultural impact and overwhelming popularity with audiences. Best known today as the Big Lebowski himself, David Huddleston had a lengthy career spanning a variety of comedic and dramatic roles, often playing portly fuddy-duddies. Film critic Leonard Maltin gave the film a good rating (3 stars out of a possible 4) and characterized it as "about as subtle as The Three Stooges, but a classic compared to the sequels and countless rip-offs which followed". On June 24, 1987, Gleason died after a battle with cancer. She also produced and starred in the 1995 television miniseries A Woman of Independent Means, the story of one woman's life journey during the early 20th century. ", Other notable big screen credits include the blaxploitation action film "Cleopatra Jones" and the urban comedy "Uptown Saturday Night." After finishing up at Birmingham High School in Van Nuys, California, Field attended an acting workshop at Columbia Studios, which helped launch her film and television career. [12] The area around Helen, Georgia, was used for some locations. The film was directed by Hal Needham, his first foray into directing. In recent years, Field even joined the Marvel Universe, playing Aunt May in "The Amazing Spider-Man" movies. ', Sally Field won the Best Actress Oscar for her role in Places in the Heart at the 57th Annual Academy Awards in 1985, Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions, Jennifer Garner Loves This Drugstore Skin Tint, Name: Sally Field, Birth Year: 1946, Birth date: November 6, 1946, Birth State: California, Birth City: Pasadena, Birth Country: United States, Best Known For: Sally Field is an American actress best known for TV and film roles such as 'Gidget,' 'The Flying Nun,' 'Smokey and the Bandit,' 'Sybil' and 'Places in the Heart. Nominated for seven Academy Awards, the film won two one for writing, and one for Field as Best Actress. In return, Reynolds portrayed Boss Hogg (originally portrayed by Sorrell Booke) in the film adaptation The Dukes of Hazzard (2005). Popularly known as "The Great One", late American actorJackie Gleason played the role ofSheriff Buford T. Justice, aka Smokey,in this road action-comedy. He was eventually given his own series, the short-lived "The Dom DeLuise Show." [24] With an original budget of $5.3 million (cut to $4.3 million two days before initial production),[4] the film eventually grossed $126,737,428 in North America,[25] making it the second-highest-grossing movie of 1977 (only Star Wars earned more, with $221.3 million). He made many memorable television appearances throughout the decades, including on "Sanford and Son," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Columbo," "Gunsmoke," and "Bewitched." Like many professional athletes, Mike Henry found a second life in Hollywood after retiring from sports. He also made several guest appearances on the Reynolds sitcom "Evening Shade. With numerous awards under her belt, Sally Field continues to act in a number of programs and films, extending her legacy one project at a time.The legendary Burt Reynolds played Bandit, or Bo Darville. Thus, the latter becomesSheriff Buford T. Justice's indirect target as his son Junior was to marryCarrie. Needham had great difficulty getting any studios or producers to take his project seriously, being better known in the film industry as a stuntman. Musicians such as Beegie Adair and George Tidwell[20] played on the soundtrack. On the big screen, Anderson had roles in such films as "Ride the High Country," "The Satan Bug," and "Eight Men Out." (Still). If you still have fond memories of the Bandit, here's what happened to the cast of one of the biggest comedy hits of the '70s. Other sources in East Texas (from whence Sheriff Justice hails) are familiar with the popular regional delicacy known as the Diablo Sandwich. She played Robin Williams' estranged wife in the family comedy Mrs. Doubtfire and Tom Hanks' mother in the 1994 whimsical hit Forrest Gump. [15] All four of the cars were badly damaged during production,[16] one of which was all but destroyed during the jump over the dismantled Mulberry bridge. Reed also provided the film's infectious soundtrack, including the movie's theme song, "Eastbound and Down,"which went to No. Needham originally planned the film as a low-budget B movie with a production cost of $1 million,[4] with Reed as the Bandit. The roller coaster in the movie was the Greyhound. "Buford T. Justice" was the name of a real Florida Highway Patrolman known to Reynolds' father, who was once Police Chief of Riviera Beach, Florida. But whether you were a cowboy at heart or not, the film was a big crowd-pleasing hit for people from all walks of life. 10 Most Influential Drive-In Movies Of All Time, Field had given some of her best performances, Every Major Award Won By 80 For Brady's Main Cast, 10 Best Performances By Athletes (In Movies That Aren't About Sports), The Most Memorable Quotes From Smokey And The Bandit, We Still Haven't Seen Dune's Weirdest Creature, Star Wars Dodged A Bullet: Latest Rumors Suggest Lindelof Would Have Repeated Sequel Mistakes, All 13 Bruce Lee Movie Villains (& The Martial Artists Who Played Them). Field's stepfather was a strict disciplinarian who expected faithful obedience from Field, her older brother, and half-sister Princess. [5], Universal Studios bankrolled Smokey and the Bandit for $5.3 million, figuring it was a good risk. He is an actor, known for The Cannonball Run (1981), Smokey and the Bandit (1977) and Legends of the Superheroes (1979). In particular, the scene where Sheriff Justice unknowingly encounters the Bandit in a roadside diner (a "choke and puke" in CB lingo) was not in the original story but was rather Gleason's idea. The film starred Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jerry Reed, and Jackie Gleason. More at IMDbPro Contact info Agent info Resume Born November 17, 1943 Add to list Photos Known for The Cannonball Run 6.2 Batman 1981 Smokey and the Bandit Field enjoyed making the film, but remembers that virtually the entire project was improvised. Field wouldn't have to hide for long, though; the show was canceled in 1970, after three seasons on the air. A native of Vinton, Virginia, Huddleston studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, (as per TCM) and launched his acting career soon after graduating, first on stage, then in films. Though Williams' career slowed down after the new millennium rolled around, he appeared in 2017's Baby Driver and frequently lent his voice to various animated projects all the way up to the year 2020. As we've seen with many character actors though, his time spent in supporting roles was rewarded with onecult classic film that suddenly made him recognizable. He was later cast in Tarzan in the 1960s before landing his most well-known role in this film. Bit roles on TV's "Starsky and Hutch," "The Jeffersons," "Roots," "The Bob Newhart Show," and more soon followed. Mainly a comedic actor, he earned the nickname \"The Great One\" for his unique style and prominence. Pat McCormick passed away at the age of 78 in 2005 after years away from show business. A segment of the CMT program Reel Eats used a sloppy joe-style recipe consisting of seasoned ground beef, corn, and sour cream. DeLuise first made a name for himself with roles in Mel Brooks comedies, co-starring with Brooks and Marty Feldman in"Silent Movie," and turning in high energy performances in"The Twelve Chairs,""History of the World, Part 1," and "Blazing Saddles," where he directed the memorable musical number "The French Mistake. In response, Needham told Reed that he liked the song so much that if Reed changed even a word or a note, Needham would "choke him". One of the elephants at the Topeka Zoo is having health problems right now, and it turns out that she was a movie star! His flamboyant comedic stylings made him a favorite of Mel Brooks, who cast him in six films: "The Twelve Chairs," "Blazing Saddles," "Silent Movie," "History of the World: Part I," "Spaceballs," and "Robin Hood: Men in Tights.". It was instantaneous, and four days felt like four years." Actor Henry Corden, who voiced Fred Flintstone after original performer Alan Reed died the same year the film was released, was used to replace a considerable amount of Sheriff Justice's dialogue. Gleason made his final on-screen appearance in the 1986 film Nothing in Common opposite a young Tom Hanks. Anderson had numerous roles in film and television throughout his long career, including a bit part in "Smokey and the Bandit II.". However, the scene and the obscured expletive were played for comedy value and written as such, with the passing truck being the gag of the scene more than a way to avoid the censors. She found great success with the family drama Brothers & Sisters, playing the matriarch of the Walker family. Most of the dialogue was improvised on set. Pat McCormick's career before Smokey and the Bandit was incredibly diverse, but the towering comic spent most of his time behind the scenes. However, the cars weren't in the best of shape by the time they were wrapping up. Alfie Wise was born on 17 November 1943 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA. ", Bradshaw enjoyed working with Reynolds, and told JimmyKimmel, he was "the sweetest guy in the world." [31] Smokey and the Bandit was released in the United Kingdom on August 28 and was a success there, garnering positive reviews. The Original Smokey And the Bandit Truck is a 1974 Kenworth. Stealing every scene as the swaggering and buffoonish Sheriff Buford T. Justice, Gleason found a new gear to his career and showed a side of himself that was previously unseen. He penned jokes for Phyllis Diller, Red Skelton, and Johnny Carson, and wrote episodes of "Get Smart" and "The Andy Griffith Show." .css-m6thd4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#323232;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-m6thd4:hover{color:link-hover;}}Jennifer Garner Loves This Drugstore Skin Tint, Kerry Washington Loves This Game Changer Retinol, Matthew Perry Removes Keanu Reeves from His Book, Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson Might Be Sibs, Jennifer Garner's Hair-Thickening Secret Is $28, 10 Surprising Facts about the Phantom of the Opera, Arnold Schwarzenegger, King of the Viral PSA Video, Dracula: 10 Actors Who Played the Infamous Vampire, 10 Things You Might Not Know about Jeremy Renner, Adam Sandler's Favorite Sneakers Are on Sale Now. Many of his hit songs showcase this sense of humor, including "Amos Moses" and "When You're Hot, You're Hot. Still, for parents, it's a dumb-fun movie from their childhoods, and for older kids, it helps set some context for Burt Reynolds' successful '70s and '80s movie career beyond Norm MacDonald's legendary . In 2018, Field wrote a candid memoir, "In Pieces," where she relived her career, her famous loves, and how she overcame childhood abuse at the hands of her stepfather. Though her acting pace slowed down after the 1990s, Field continued to have success in films like 2012's Lincoln, and the popularity of 2023's 80 for Brady showed that she still had legitimate star power. At 6 foot 7 inches and 250 pounds, Pat McCormick was certainly an imposing presence, and with a bushy mustache plastered across his face, a distinctive one as well. Big Enos (Pat McCormick) tries to win his endorsement in his own bid for governor by delivering an elephant to the Republican National Convention in Dallas, with the help of the Bandit (Burt Reynolds) and the Snowman (Jerry Reed). The worldwide gross is estimated at over $300 million. He found his greatest success on television, becoming a frequent talk show and variety series guest, most notably on "The Dean Martin Show." In fact, Williams has over 90 acting credits, beginning with the 1965 comedy "The Loved One.". Jerry Reed wasn't the only musician in the cast of Smokey and the Bandit, and beloved songwriter Paul Williams even had a small role. He made his movie debut when he was 39 years old with a role in 1972's "Deliverance." The film had director Hal Needham at its helm who also wrote its story along withRobert L. Levy. Field's career continued to thrive with leading roles in 1985's Murphy's Romance with James Garner and 1988's Punchline. Henry first rose to fame as an NFL linebacker, succumbed to the disease and from complications from CTE, died of a heart attack and kidney disease, earned three Emmy nominations for writing. The show resonated with Field's own values, as she told The Saturday Evening Post it was "all about a dysfunctional family whose members deeply love each other and are bonded together. Wealthy Texan Big Enos Burdette and his son Little Enos have sponsored a racer in Atlanta's Southern Classic and want to celebrate in style when he wins, so they are seeking a trucker willing to bootleg Coors Beer to Atlanta for their refreshment. You can view additional information about each Smokey and the Bandit actor on this list, such as when and where they were born. The hood scoop on these cars says "6.6 LITRE", which, in 1977, would have denoted an Oldsmobile 403-equipped car or a non-W-72, 180 hp version of the 400 Pontiac engine. He spent much of his early career taking minor roles in films and television shows. The Flying Nun starred Field as Sister Bertrille, a nun so light that she could take flight. Directed by Hal Needham Writing Credits Cast (in credits order) verified as complete Produced by Music by Bill Justis Jerry Reed Cinematography by Bobby Byrne . ", Reynolds and DeLuise first worked together on the dark comedy, "The End," which Reynolds directed; a film about a terminally ill man who's thinking about checking out early. Burt Reynolds as Bo "The Bandit" Darville Sally Field as Carrie "Frg" Jerry Reed as Cledus "The Snowman" Snow Jackie Gleason as Sheriff Buford T. People Also Read: Who Are The Cast Members Of Breaker Morant? [29] The film's editors, Walter Hannemann and Angelo Ross, were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Film Editing. Henry then played the famous jungle vine swinger in three movies, "Tarzan and the Valley of Gold," "Tarzan and the Great River," and "Tarzan and the Jungle Boy.". Field was only 18 years old when the series debuted in the fall of 1965. Smokey and the Bandit was only Field's third feature film role, and she quickly pivoted her success on the big screen into Academy Award gold when she won an Oscar for Best Actress in 1979's Norma Rae. He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1958-61) and the Los Angeles Rams (1962-64). McCormick was a veteran of television and worked as a writer in the medium for many years, contributing gags for many top shows. It opened in other Northern states at the end of July. Smokey and the Bandit cast list, listed alphabetically with photos when available. [17], In 1977, Coors was unavailable for sale east of Oklahoma. "My years with Burt never leave my mind. In "Smokey and the Bandit II," Huddleston played a character named John Conn. Mel Brooks previously cast Huddleston in the comedy classic "Blazing Saddles," and the two worked together again in the musical version of "The Producers" in 2005. Before gaining fame to a new generation of fans in "The Big Lebowski," he even played the title role in "Santa Claus: The Movie.". Coors is still brewed just outside Denver, Colorado. Everyone remembers the characters Smokey and the Bandit, but let's not forget the Bandit's loyal sidekick Cledus Snow, aka the Snowman. She next appeared in the hit series The Flying Nun, before moving on to the big screen. Needham served as the driver for the stunt (in place of Reynolds), while Lada St. Edmund was in the same car (in place of Field). Two sequels followed, 1980's "Smokey and the Bandit II" and 1983's "Smokey and the Bandit Part 3." With movies like "Smokey and the Bandit," "Cannonball Run," and "The Longest Yard," Reynolds made piles of money for the studios, and himself, but never got much critical acclaim to go with his . Mike Henry (1936-2021) Actor IMDbPro Starmeter Top 5,000 502 Play trailer 2:42 Smokey and the Bandit (1977) 2 Videos 11 Photos Michael Dennis Henry was born August 15th, 1936. It was used in the film as the bandit's truck in the movie. (McCormick also became infamous for running across the "Tonight Show" set naked in 1974.). That success carried him through to the end of his life in 1987. Embodying the laid-back and aloof attitude of the Bandit to perfection, Reynolds wasn't far out of his comfort zone as the charming lead. It was a heavy-duty Class 8 truck. The film was a seismic hit that joined "Star Wars," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," and "Saturday Night Fever" as one of the year's highest grossers. Bandit picked her up on his way back to Atlanta as she was hitchhiking, still in her wedding dress, when her car broke down. ", Born on August 1, 1933, DeLuise got his start on the stage before moving to the screen. While made to take advantage of the ongoing 1970s CB radio fad, the film added to the craze. While he wasn't the most famous member of the cast of Smokey and the Bandit, former football star Mike Henry had already accomplished much. If you're wondering whetherJerry Reed really drove the truck in Smokey and the Bandit, according to Horsepowermemories.com, the actor wasn't actually driving the truck. He was 82. The third film which had no involvement from either Hal Needham or Sally Field and contained only a short cameo appearance by Burt Reynolds revolved entirely around Jackie Gleason's character, was panned by critics, and was a box office bomb, earning only $7 million against a $9 million budget.[41][42][43]. Among his many memorable roles was that of rascally outlaw Bo Darville, who appeared in all three "Smokey and the Bandit" films (albeit as only a cameo in the third and final entry). Best known as a writer for "The Tonight Show," Pat McCormick's most memorable big-screen role was playing Big Enos Burdette in "Smokey and the Bandit." Mike Henry. ", Prior to playing Cledus Snow (aka Snowman) in "Smokey and the Bandit," Reed was a guest celebrity voice on "Scooby Doo," and co-starred with Reynolds in "W.W. and the Dixie Dance Kings" and "Gator." Reynolds is referenced by name in several early episodes of the series. The theme music "East Bound and Down" was sung and co-written by Reed (credited under his birth name, Jerry Hubbard) and Dick Feller. She then had a supporting role in the 2003 big-screen comedy Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde, starring Reese Witherspoon. In the film, Field played a ruthless journalist. According to the legend, test audiences reacted poorly, and so the Bandit scenes were re-shot with Jerry Reed playing the role. Let us know in the comments, and subscribe to the channel for more videos!Do you think you know a lot about TV? Angeles Rams (1962-64). She continued to take on dramatic fare, starring opposite Paul Newman in 1981's Absence of Malice. The cast of the film was really what helped it shine, and Smokey and the Bandit quickly became a favorite in the Southern United States. He was a leading. The three original films introduced two generations of the Pontiac Trans Am and the Dodge Stealth in the television movies. They return with one minute remaining on their time limit, but instead of taking the payoff, Carrie and Bandit accept a double-or-nothing offer from Little Enos: a challenge to run up to Boston and bring back clam chowder in 18 hours. During this time he earned three Emmy nominations for writing (for "The Tonight Show," "Bette Midler: Ol' Red Hair Is Back," and "The Danny Kaye Show"). Field is also known for her roles in the films Smokey and the Bandit, Forrest Gump and Lincoln, along with her Tony-nominated stage work. Big Enos and his son, Little Enos (Paul Williams), appeared in all three "Smokey and the Bandit" films. But it was "Smokey and the Bandit" that cemented Reynolds' status as an A-list actor, and a sex symbol for women all over the world. The original Smokey and the Bandit truck can be found in the state of California. "Smokey and the Bandit" took Burt Reynolds' movie career up to superstar level, and with his effortless charisma and charm on full display, he also cemented his reputation as one of the major big-screen sex symbols of the decade. After several auditions, Field landed a role in 1976's bodybuilding film Stay Hungry with Jeff Bridges and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Robin Williams' turn in "Good Will Hunting. His role as porno director Jack Horner won him a Golden Globe and earned him an Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actor. Before he was the Big Lebowski, David Huddleston was a reliable character actor who would steal the show whenever he popped up on screen. The first film from stuntman-turned-director Hal Needham, it was a car chase comedy starring Burt Reynolds then Hollywood's number one box office draw as Bo "Bandit" Darville, a bootlegger transporting 400 cases of Coors beer from Texarkana to Atlanta. Born on August 15, 1936, Henry first rose to fame as an NFL linebacker, playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1958-61 and the Los Angeles Rams from 1962-64. [8] Niver provided much of the western attire worn in the film, as well as the custom-made sheriff's uniforms (waist size 64") that Gleason wore throughout the film. So it's little wonder DeLuise took on a supporting role in the sequel to Reynold's highly successful "Smokey and the Bandit. She co-starred as a party girl, a far cry from the innocent characters she played on the small screen. One of his most acclaimed performances was in the controversial hit "Deliverance," and he also proved he had a gift for comedy with "The Longest Yard" in 1974. Smokey and the Bandit was one of the most beloved movies of the 1970s. Smokey and the Bandit was a certified 1970s comedy classic, and its cast was packed with superstars and future icons of the big screen. Henry then transferred to the Rams, and once he was in L.A., he pursued an acting career. He was discovered at a Rams game and was invited to audition for the role of Tarzan. Smokey And The Bandit Actors You May Not Know Passed Away. After the success of "Bandit," Reed came back for the sequels, and also starred in such films as "High Ballin," "Hot Stuff," the war drama "Bat*21," and the Adam Sandler comedy "The Waterboy.". Surprisingly, the cast and crew only had to use three Trans Am cars throughout the entire film. Late American film and television actor, director & producer, Burt Reynolds played the lead role of Bo Darville, aka the Bandit, in Smokey and the Bandit. The youngest of two children born to actress Margaret Field, the future star grew up in show. Cora played "Charlotte" in "Smokey and the Bandit II" in 1980. He had several hit songs throughout his lengthy career, winning three Grammy Awards out of nine nominations.

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