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The canoe that Burt Reynolds used in 'Deliverance' is on display at the Burt Reynolds Museum.
With still-uncertain plans to move the museum to another site; it’s time to see the hometown film star’s collection now.
Kelly Dennehy, the executive director of the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film and Theatre, calls Burt Reynolds “a diamond,” and says she’s still in awe of the shiny Emmy Award (below) Reynolds earned for his work on Evening Shade.
When she thinks of Burt Reynolds Museum, she says, “I’m so impressed we have an Emmy, and it’s right here. I think, ‘Aren’t we fortunate?’”
We are. Burt Reynolds’ collection of movie and television memorabilia — not to mention his extensive sports memorabilia collection — is billed as Florida’s largest celebrity museum.
1 – The man’s a legend, and Florida Film is giving him their Legend Award on June 30, if you needed proof. Reynolds is the biggest star to come from Palm Beach County. Through his 50-year career, he’s made 90 feature films and has 300 television episode credits to his name. And he’s not finished! Reynolds is currently filming Reel Love, a CMT movie with LeAnn Rimes, in Toronto.
2 – He’s a pack rat who saved everything.
Because Reynolds came along at the end of Hollywood’s classic era, when the legends were still accessible, he has autographs from Clark Gable, Fred Astaire, Gregory Peck, Frank Sinatra (who writes: “Why don’t you cheer up and have a good time?”), Bette Davis and Gene Kelly.
3 – He’s not just an actor, he’s a former football star. Reynolds’ love of sports is obvious: You’ll find an autographed Mickey Mantle baseball in one display and his Emmy Award for Evening Shade in another. Signed footballs, signed helmets, signed pictures of every pigskin great imaginable. A whole wall devoted to FSU, naturally. He’s also got the helmet from his football movie, The Longest Yard.
4 – He’s a classic.
Reynolds has made some good movies, but Deliverance, based on James Dickey’s novel, is an enduring film that will always float to the top. Most of the movie took place in or near the canoes, and there his is, propped in the corner. Reynolds also has the arrows and quiver he used in the film, and there’s an autographed copy of the novel.
5 Who knows how long it will be around?
The museum won’t be closing tomorrow, but its fate is unsure at this time. The lease on the original location on the first floor of the former First Union Bank Building is up and won’t be renewed because of development plans for the site. The plan is to move the museum to Burt Reynolds Park in Jupiter, but the final decision hasn’t been made. There’s a preliminary vote on June 21 by the Palm Beach County Commission.
IF YOU GO:
The Burt Reynolds Museum
Where: 100 N. U.S. 1, Jupiter
Info: Directions, Hours and more
If you hear banjos, paddle faster.
Does anyone really care about this has been?
Burt has given so much of his time to help people and he is kind to everyone and he will never be a has been.
I could write a book about him and wish everyone would know him as he is , a wonderful man.
Burt Is a Saint!
Your trippin Karen!
Karen, were you born in the late 80′s or 90′s? I suspect you were not around during his era. He’s one of the best of the best actors of all time. I think you should go to the museum and see for yourself.
watch ol bandit run!!
You can celebrate his on screen personas, but the real man was a disaster who would discard people he felt no need for or couldn’t use anymore.
The last time I was around Burt he was married to Loni and it was for a cast party at his ranch for Evening Shade. I don’t think I ever saw two more horrible people in my life the way they treated others.
Karma has sure caught up to him.
I’m still waiting to really find out what happened to Inger Stevens and her supposed drug overdose. You wouldn’t know anything about that now would you?
Karen probably didn’t even know who Burt Reynolds was until she read this article. She probably is gaga over Brad Pitt, who couldn’t act his way out of a paper bag with instructions printed on the inside.
Burt was my neighbor in 1978 on US Hwy 1 and the intercoastal. We had so much fun living next door to him and meeting the actors that stayed at his house while performing at the theater. I rode in the bandit and got to meet his great dame Sharkey after he mauled my springer spanielon our beach. He then treated us to the premier of Best Little Whore House in Texas in a Limo. Now those were the days in Jupiter!
ABC Movie of the Week 1970 Burt Reynolds Inger Stevens Promo
http://youtu.be/Rufb9VIiPOQ
Burt should have stayed away from the plastic surgeon. It’s unmanly.
I have always have had a fascination for Burt.I loved him in the 1974 centerfold of Playboy magazine.I loved it when he did Smokey and the Bandit at the bar called Gator Kicks.He looked excellent when he wore his black leather vest,showing his beautiful hairy chest and those muscular biceps. He looks good and he always will.
Oops,sorry correction: 1974 centerfold of Playgirl magazine.
I’ve never met Mr. Reynolds, just watched his movies. I like what I’ve watched.