I truly enjoyed his performances in many films. He was something special.
I have a nice story to tell about him. My brother and I went to the 1996 ESPY awards show at Madison Square Garden in New York. His wife worked for ESPN at the time and got us tickets. Prior to the show, there was a cocktail party, where we had passes to go. In walked many athletes and celebrities, shook hands with some and spoke briefly to a few. In walks Burt Reynolds. My brother was feeling pretty good by now, sees him, and says “Burt” and proceeds to go over and hug the guy while stating his admiration for him in some movies. Burt steps back, and kindly says, “thanks for coming over, it’s people like you that helped make my career.”
It was really cool.