Fri Apr 11 06:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Hollywood Icon Burt Reynolds: Honesty, Hits, and the “Terrible Mistake” of *At Long Last Love*
**Los Angeles, CA** – Burt Reynolds, the iconic Hollywood star known for his charm and box-office success, was also celebrated for his refreshing honesty, a rare trait in the often-polished world of entertainment. While he starred in numerous films, Reynolds openly admitted to the less successful ones, a stark contrast to many actors who meticulously craft their public image.
Even before his breakthrough role in *Deliverance*, Reynolds readily acknowledged his earlier less-than-stellar cinematic ventures. He famously described *Deliverance* as the first film he’d been in that “didn’t suck.”
Reynolds’ candidness extended to his peak years. While aware of his loyal audience for action comedies, he admitted to shying away from riskier projects. One notable exception was his foray into musical theatre with Peter Bogdanovich’s 1975 film, *At Long Last Love*. In hindsight, he called it a “terrible, terrible mistake,” acknowledging his fans’ rejection of him in a singing and dancing role. The film was a critical and commercial flop, with Reynolds wryly comparing the experience to “staying afloat longer than anybody else when the Titanic sunk.”
Following the debacle, Reynolds swiftly returned to his action-comedy roots with films like *Smokey and the Bandit*, *Semi-Tough*, and *Hooper*, successfully regaining his box-office appeal and solidifying his status as a major Hollywood draw. His honesty, however unconventional in Hollywood, became a key part of his legacy, showcasing a level of integrity often absent from the industry.
First Piper 