Smokey and the Bandit was the first picture [Hal Needham ] directed, and I knew he could handle it. I had just directed Gator, and he saw my style and used that as a pattern.
Burt ReynoldsJay Leno is wonderful and a good friend, but it will always be the Carson show to a lot of people.
Burt ReynoldsMy acting is a bit like basketball. Most females in my films come off very well. I give great assist. And if I'm lucky, I even score.
Burt ReynoldsWe got Sally Field onboard [in Smokey and the Bandit] and it changed the entire dynamic. About a third of the way into filming, I was in the car with Sally and there was this little moment where we kind of looked at each other, and then we both turned and looked over at Hal [Needham]. He gave us a thumbs up and said, "Yeah!" And we kind of knew there was some magic going on.
Burt Reynolds