Was Burt Reynolds Gay?

He was the celebrated, mustachioed leading man, renowned for his prowess in Westerns and his portrayal of a pornographic film director in Boogie Nights... yet Burt Reynolds' actual intimate experiences were far more sensational than anything depicted on screen.

The iconic 1970s sex symbol, who passed away at the age of eighty-two on a recent Wednesday, led an extraordinary existence, marked by highly volatile relationships with renowned celebrities.

His decision to pose nude for Cosmopolitan in the year 1972 cemented Burt's status as one of Hollywood's most desired men, and during his peak fame, he was known for his many liaisons with attractive women.

Furthermore, he entered into two exceptionally challenging marriages and became involved with a multitude of glamorous stars. However, as the acclaimed actor disclosed in his 2015 autobiography, But Enough About Me, a significant driving force behind his romantic life was an insatiable attraction to women who were older than him.

The Older Woman Who First Introduced Him to Intimacy at Fifteen

Born in Michigan in the year 1936, Burt spent his formative years in Florida, where his father served as a police officer.

It was in this locale, at the tender age of fifteen, that Burt experienced his inaugural intimate encounter—with a woman in her forties who managed an antique store in Palm Beach.

In his candid book, he details how he would visit her residence on a weekly basis. "We would share a meal, exchange anecdotes, and engage in lovemaking. This arrangement continued for several months, until the evening she decided it was time to conclude our involvement.

"I expressed my objections, almost pleadingly, but she simply offered a smile. And that was the conclusion. Her departure left me in a state of confusion and disappointment, yet she had also brought me immense joy. There isn't a single week that passes without my thoughts turning to her."

Following his time in Florida, Burt relocated to New York during the 1950s with the aspiration of embarking on an acting career, securing a few minor roles on stage and television before making his cinematic debut in 1961.

Not long thereafter, at a gathering for industry professionals, he was approached by the legendary actress Greta Garbo, who was thirty-one years his senior.

Despite spending the entire night in conversation with her, and admiring her "exquisite cleavage," he remained unaware of her identity until the subsequent day.

Burt would frequently, and with a touch of humor, express his regret over this missed opportunity in the years that followed.

His First Wife and Her Predilection for Adventurous Intimacy

Reynolds wed his initial wife, the English actress Judy Carne, in the year 1963.

Their courtship lasted a mere six months prior to their marriage, and their union was not consistently characterized by happiness.

A substantial number of the difficulties they faced originated from her unconventional lifestyle—she was described as a bisexual socialite with an unrestrained nature, and Burt recounted that her daily routines were dominated by "hard drug use and unconventional sexual practices."

Their marital bond dissolved after merely two years, and Judy subsequently attained a degree of notoriety. Later, as her professional career began to decline, she started divulging accounts concerning her renowned former husband.

"Her issues with substance abuse intensified, and she amassed considerable wealth by discussing my personal life," Burt wrote.

"She asserted that I had physically assaulted her, which was entirely untrue. That accusation deeply wounded me."

An Intimate Relationship with Another Mature Partner

Reynolds also engaged in a romantic affair with actress Dinah Shore that spanned several years in the early 1970s.

Once more, he found himself drawn to the companionship of an older woman—he was thirty-five, while she was fifty-four—and he became utterly captivated by her.

Their meeting occurred on her daytime television program, Dinah's Place, in 1971, and an immediate connection was established.

For Burt, the advantages of having a more experienced and mature partner were evident—the sophisticated Dinah took pleasure in educating Burt about various aspects of life, including music, art, fine wines, and intimate relations.

"Our intimate moments became a novel experience," he documented. "For the first time, I was experiencing closeness fueled by genuine, unreserved affection."

By Burt's own admission, they were considered "soulmates." However, his acting career had experienced a significant upswing, and he acknowledged that his ego had spiraled out of control.

There was an additional factor: Burt harbored a strong desire to become a father, and this was an area where the age disparity became a significant consideration.

"Ending my relationship with Dinah was the most challenging action I had ever undertaken," he stated. "I felt her absence the instant I departed. I struggled to function for several weeks. She remains the most remarkable individual I have ever encountered."

Provocative Correspondence from Devoted Admirers

Subsequently, when the ruggedly handsome leading man posed nude for Cosmopolitan—becoming the magazine's inaugural male nude centerfold—the level of female interest escalated even further.

This photo session propelled him to a prominent position within the sexual revolution, transforming him into a celebrated, hirsute sex symbol.

Women began dispatching to him "the most explicit letters imaginable" along with suggestive photographs of themselves. One particularly zealous fan even commenced sending him regular packages containing her own pubic hair.

He had attained such an iconic status that he was even offered the role of James Bond after Sean Connery relinquished the part in the early 1970s.

However, this level of attention proved overwhelming for Burt. He carried regrets about participating in the photoshoot for the remainder of his life, finding it to be a persistent source of embarrassment that accompanied him universally.

'The Air Was Thick with Romantic Anticipation'

He then had a five-year romantic entanglement with Sally Field, the star of Forrest Gump, who co-starred with Burt in the 1977 action-comedy Smokey And The Bandit.

Burt had specifically requested to collaborate with her, and in his book, he describes how the "romantic anticipation was palpable" from the very outset of their filming collaboration.

Discussions about marriage surfaced periodically throughout their relationship, but they never formalized their commitment.

Following their separation, rumors began to circulate suggesting that Burt had contracted AIDS.

When questioned about these rumors in an interview with Playboy, Sally inadvertently wounded Burt by suggesting that "something has consistently been occurring around Burt."

These remarks extinguished any possibility of reconciliation, although Burt maintained that she had always represented the great love of his life.

However, this past week, decades after their initial connection, Sally was among the notable figures who offered heartfelt tributes upon the news of Burt's passing.

"There are moments in one's life that are so profound, they never truly vanish," she expressed. "They persist, even after forty years.

"My time spent with Burt never fades from my memory. He will forever be a part of my history and my heart, for the entirety of my days. Rest well, Buddy."

His Extravagant Second Spouse

Burt's second wife was the American actress Loni Anderson.

"The most visually stunning woman I have ever encountered," was how he characterized Loni in his autobiography.

Upon their initial meeting at an awards gala, she approached him, invited him to dance, and softly whispered in his ear, "I want to have your baby."

While they did not conceive a child together biologically, Burt later adopted a son, Quinton, with her—thereby finally realizing his aspirations of fatherhood.

Loni was undeniably beautiful, although Burt consistently felt she applied an excessive amount of makeup and candidly admitted that he "never truly cared for her."

This sentiment, however, did not deter the couple from proceeding with their marriage. In the year 1988, succumbing to her "persistent entreaties," Burt gave his consent, and they exchanged vows, albeit with some reservations on his part.

Right up until the wedding day, Burt contemplated calling off the ceremony. Even his mother conveyed her disapproval with a nod as he entered the chapel, but he could not bring himself to sever ties with his glamorous fiancée.

Married life proved to be financially demanding and ostentatious.

Loni was known to purchase designer dresses valued at seven thousand pounds each and wear them only once, and on one occasion, she depleted his credit card's thirty-thousand-pound limit within a mere thirty minutes of shopping.

Ultimately, her extravagant spending led Burt into financial difficulties, and they separated after five years of marriage.

The media frenzy surrounding their divorce was so intense that Princess Diana dispatched a note to Burt, expressing gratitude for diverting attention away from her from the cover of People Magazine.

Despite their separation, Loni, much like everyone else who was part of Burt's life, was deeply saddened to learn of his recent passing.

"Quinton and I are profoundly moved by the overwhelming wave of affection and encouragement from friends and family worldwide," Anderson stated in a public announcement.

However, Loni, perhaps more than anyone, understood that Burt's existence was lived to its absolute fullest—encompassing his remarkable acting performances, his high-profile celebrity lifestyle, and, of course, the numerous women who were a part of it.