Burt Reynolds Turned Down “Boogie Nights” 7 Times | CONAN on TBS

[@matthewwilliams1709]

He was fantastic in Boogie Nights. And I understand his take on not wanting to glamorize pornography as well. I think if he had watched Boogie Nights he would have viewed the film as a cautionary tale of the porn business, which is what the film really is.

[@coldwinter5710]

Well said Matt! He finally did embrace the film and it's director, per his 2nd book. But obviously too late in regards to the Oscar he deserved to win. I believe his lack of embracing & unwillingness to promote the film cost him the ultimate prize he so yearned for in his career. Sad.

[@arfenmalik1717]

@@coldwinter5710 he stood his ground and you got to give him props for that

[@coldwinter5710]

@@arfenmalik1717 Absolutely...but I think he would be the 1st to admit, it wasn't worth it. Regarding the films narrative, he was so concerned with how his old fans would perceive him in such a role, he forgot he was gaining many new ones in a younger audience. He was an actor playing a role, this was not "Burt Reynolds" up there on screen supporting the porn industry...he got a bit lost along the way in that interpretation. He did his job well, to say the least!, but it was his "job", playing a part, not a personal endorsement of porn, esp when the heart of the film was really about the people & their lives, behind the scenes. His clashes with the director...while he was justified in his angst, I'm sure he wishes he could've risen above it a bit better. After all, had he been able to treat the film like any other, gone out & done the typical press & interviews for the film, I have no doubt the Oscar would be on his shelf. And just think of all those lost interviews we would have to enjoy for years to come. NO ONE did a better interview than Burt! He is very much missed 💗

[@arfenmalik1717]

@@coldwinter5710 actually i just saw the film and i grew to like it. The way Reynold played his character was also awsome, anyway it would be hypocritical of me to judge porn actors. Everyone has watched it.

[@coldwinter5710]

@@arfenmalik1717 Exactly! (Though many refuse to admit it!). I wish he had been able to see it that way too, from the start. He did come around to being able to really appreciate his work & he certainly thought VERY highly of the other actors he worked with in Boogie Nights. But it was too late to make that impact on those within the Academy who vote for each Oscar winner.

[@TotalMK]

RIP Burt. Thanks for Doing Boogie Nights, It's one of my all time Favorites.

[@rambotan5867]

What about twilight?

[@TK-ij2xi]

He's really pulling some zingers in his interview. Love it.

[@matbelli]

Man he’s funny. Sharp as ever.

[@theresenydahl9531]

Mathias Belli Indeed✌

[@NOSEBLOB]

Boogie nights captured the vibe of the era like no other movie ever has.

[@mmsmith61894]

It’s so strange the violent reaction he has to PTA and Boogie Nights. It’s such a great film and it revitalized his career. Just so odd.

[@TonyVega123]

Maybe he wasn't comfortable with it and had a bad experience. You've never had bad experiences in your life? Nothing odd about what he said.

[@coldwinter5710]

It's a generational thing for him. If you read in his book he had a really hard time with the dialog he had to say and he was raised to have respect for women and not treat them as pieces of meat. And unfortunately for him, he was too wrapped up in his old audience and playing the part of a fun loving guy...worried what these people would think! As if Jack Horner was really him in real life. Burt! You're an actor! And boy did he act in this role...he deserved the Oscar that year. (And if he had been more concerned with playing deeper characters during his career, just think of the body of work he would have? i.e. check him out in Starting Over) Burt was a very underrated talent and he often sold himself short. Did he have bad people advising him or did he not listen? I think probably both.

[@coldwinter5710]

...and Burt also made ammends with PTA. He said, at the end of the day, PTA was right and he was wrong. PTA also admitted he could've handled things better with Burt on the set of Boogie Nights (However, PTA also felt all the underlying tension helped make Burt's role and the film better). Burt should've accepted the role he was offered by PTA in Magnolia! Again...VERY poor decision on Burt's part. Really Dumb.

[@coldwinter5710]

@Ann Flowers Agreed! But I think he would also be the 1st to admit to that as well! I don't think he always had the best advisors. He trusted far too many who didn't have his best interests at heart. People more interested in what he and his star power could do for them. And he paid dearly for it, both career wise and financially with very poor investment choices offered to him. He did not turn down "Cuckoo's Nest". He wanted the part badly but it went to Jack. Turning down "Bond", assuming audiences wouldn't accept an American to play the part was a colossal blunder! He was perfect to play that part. As well as "Terms of Endearment", in which the part was actually written with him specifically in mind! (Same screenwriter he worked w/ in "Starting Over") Mind boggling that he didn't feel he could go to his friend/director (Hal Needham) and tell him this VIP part came up and they would have to wait to make the movie. He was loyal, to a fault, and often didn't think things through, big picture, it would seem. That movie he didn't think he could turn down was, "Stroker Ace" (with Loni Anderson). UGH! He walked away from an Oscar worthy role for that! And maybe never would've gotten involved with her as a result?!? (A decision, he was actually advised well on, not to go through with, but didn't listen to). To think how incredibly different his life could've been...both professionally and personally. 😳

[@jacqueslang5935]

@@coldwinter5710 The opening scene of The Longest Yard wasn't exactly gentlemanly

[@deerheart87]

He was so fantastic in that film he was perfect

[@Oliver401]

"You can come to place, watch Boogie Nights and get comfortabel" this my pick up line.

[@goodbadbill]

I know this comments is 5 years old but I came across it just now and i really lol because i can just picture some hothead saying this to a girl he just met lol.

[@benrosn8154]

He made the movie really really great. Honestly, I think the movie wouldn’t have been as good without him. Burt Reynolds was awesome.

[@seanthompson1197]

He really was the perfect aging patriarch for that movie. Sad he didn't appreciate the film, he NAILED it.

[@woodyburns]

So great that he had his sense of humor and quick wit at that age

[@TheRubberStudiosASMR]

I was so looking forward to him being in a Tarantino film! RIP legend!

[@coldwinter5710]

Very sad we won't be seeing him in that movie.

[@tttarms1970]

Rip bandit....I remember my parents took us to the drive Inn on Friday nights...Smokey and the bandit....cannonball run....such good memories....

[@DjDMA]

Boogie Nights has to be in the Top 10 of best movies of all times.

[@jesseburleson432]

Damn movie is a masterpiece and Burt really kills it with his performance.

[@phillytheflyerable]

no, but in the 90's

[@GiantSandles]

@@Monochr0meMan Stylistically I guess but in terms of plot I don't see how, unless you consider 'young person gets into a seedy business, rises through the ranks and then has a downfall' to be wholly original to Goodfellas

[@ZR38315]

Captain Midnight I think I’m in the minority but I prefer boogie nights to goodfellas

[@carlocalderon3659]

ME TOO!

[@kennethjones9324]

In 1977 I was 11 years old and dreamed of having a Trans-Am and being Burt - love his movies and his smile!

[@muffdiver240]

Good profile too... 'specially from the side.

[@peterjancsik3337]

R.I.P Legend

[@DennisTeti]

Reynolds was a class act. Very professional, courteous; a true gentleman.

[@sharptoothtrex4486]

Even Chris Cooper and Dennis Franz makes Mark Walberg's life a living hell if they are in the movie.

[@Seraphvonteschen]

Burts too cool for tv

[@malvavisco10]

Evening Shade, anyone?

[@coldwinter5710]

Evening Shade was a VERY underrated show. It's a shame it was cancelled after 4 seasons. Easily could be on TV today, it stands the test of time. Burt won an Emmy & Golden Globe for his role. And an amazing cast too!

[@mr.j.perala2861]

Reynolds was awesome in Boogie Nights, but his best performance ever was in the classic thriller Deliverance. Too bad we didn't see him in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. R.I.P. Burt Reynolds

[@izzonj]

Seriously, which movie is more uncomfortable to watch: Boogie Nights or Deliverance!

[@thekingofcool2105]

Rollergirl!

[@Slayyyer84]

the king of cool YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAA

[@scottwolff6946]

It's his best role, and I wish he could've seen it for what it was. RIP.

[@bobbyricigliano2799]

Burt Reynolds will always be a Hollywood Legend.

[@WilliamsDad1989]

Yes he will.

[@kbcoop3249]

Awww gonna miss him...RIP to the legend

[@FredHerrman]

This man was just such fun to watch in any role. I enjoyed his fun and his serious films so much.

[@STFU255]

Burt Reynolds is a damn LEGEND Old Hollywood baby

[@paolobrossi78]

Wow and he gives such an amazing performance so powerful I never imagined he was uncomfortable with the theme of the movie just judging on his awesome performance .. rip legend

[@fergust2802]

Such a great and funny interview. This was just 6 months before he died 💔. He was such an icon. RIP

[@Sceptical_Mind]

He is still cool !

[@BradiKal61]

He hated the part but he nailed the performance. Boogie Nights really made me appreciate what a great actor Burt Reynolds was in a way that the Smokey and the Bandit movies never did. RIP

[@motorcity7137]

This man LIVED

[@rsvp1473]

Watch some episodes of Gunsmoke and you will see Burt Reynolds in his 20’s at the start of his career before he was well known in Hollywood. That’s a very good show if you like Westerns. 🤠

[@KaleLikesWaffles]

He hates being known for Boogie Nights

[@steelstreet3765]

KaleLikesWaffles he loves Smokey and the Bandit

[@AcesHighStudios]

He is known for a hell of a lot more than Boogie Nights.

[@phuckewe178]

He's not Boogie Nights to me. He's Deliverance, Cannonball Run and Smokey and the Bandit.

[@nd8954]

AcesHighStudios for most people he is. Averege person have not seen cannonball run or smokey and bandit

[@TonyVega123]

I didn't think Booge Nights was that good.

[@suat365]

Great movie Boogie Nights. Great acting by Burt Reynolds. Great actor.

[@awwwyeaboyeeee]

He may not be glad he's in that film but I sure am. What a legend!

[@3UZFE]

Sad to see him like this.

[@scottbrandts610]

BOOGIE NIGHTS was an uncomfortable experience for him, but he endured it anyway, and turned out a BRILLIANT performance!! The mark of a true actor!

[@tomarnold7203]

one of his greatest performances

[@patrickcampbell9445]

You can tell Burt is beloved because the audience laughs hysterical over his innocuous changing of a word.

[@adiloren13]

It was a joke

[@Dustinwhy8]

He should have won an Oscar for Boogie Nights.

[@lois1677]

Can't believe I'll see Turd Ferguson at this age

[@williamshaw9047]

Yeah, whaddya want?

[@aliyashaw1700]

Burt Reynolds ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@SoCal_619]

Boogie Nights would have been junk if Bert wasn't in it. He was brilliant. Still love that movie because of him RIP. A True gift to movies of my era.

[@marchmcmadness7134]

Without him, it would never of been anything. One of the great performances.

[@muffdiver240]

A little sad to see Burt looking so small/old/frail here. He's good in the movie, though.

[@becomingproject443]

That's how we will be one day.

[@brettrosen8628]

Rip 🪦 Burt Reynolds

[@tiaaaron3278]

I hope Burt saw it before his death. By far his best work.

[@Untoldtruth_01]

Boogie nights ,is one of the best movies ,so is wonderland ,great movies absolutely

[@007coleyfoley]

COLEY FOLEY: UH... SCREENS IT ANYTIME IT'S ON... HAHAHA!

[@LXSeaV]

What a great interview.

[@shadowman2192]

If he was so embarrassed about Boogie Nights. He must’ve been REALLY embarrassed about Strip Tease.

[@horatioj100]

RIP Legend 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@Capecodguy]

I cant believe he never watched that movie. When I think of Burt Reynolds career 3 movies jump into my mind. Smokey and the Bandit, Deliverance and Boogie Nights

[@lesleymaner2851]

For me too

[@RichV20]

Young Era/70's: Marlon Brando's heir apparent Superstar 70s/80s: Smart-aleck bachelor moviestar Late 90s: Second Act revitalized career All three of those films.

[@matthewlee8725]

Some actors are getting interviewed and it feels like the interviewer is walking on eggshells the entire time. Burt Reynolds is definitely one of those people.

[@luisgomez7367]

Burt Reynolds one of the best to interview

[@quarantinebored1427]

He could’ve won the Oscar and well deserved but it didn’t help the fact that he didn’t like the film and got into a fight with PTA. He said that PTA didn’t like him but I think that Burt Reynolds didn’t like PTA. I’m sure he also didn’t like the fact that some 25 or 26 year old was directing an actor who was a veteran in the industry. Overall, it was a great role and great movie.

[@seanstadler6377]

It really is such a great movie. One of those movies meant to make you uncomfortable but like it works in the best way.

[@johnfranklin1955]

Burt Reynolds said that his career never recovered from Smokey And The Bandits. He said he was so type cast as that type of character he couldn’t get past it. I believe that and so truly bad choices in movie roles.

[@aliensoup2420]

May be why so many actors now have become producers and develop their own projects.

[@wrlord]

Play it at double speed and it's just like the old Burt.

[@timyac]

Burt Reynolds, Mark Wahlberg, and Heather Graham all regretted making Boogie Nights. Reynolds even pawned off the Golden Globe he won for it. Graham won't answer questions about it. It's crazy becausr it's probably the best film any of the three have appeared in.

[@olavbjortomt1596]

Wahlberg was joking. He was making jokes about asking for forgiveness in front of a bishop and 5,000 Catholic kids and it got turned into a serious, clickbait-y headline. He said people weren't used to him doing a little comedy bit, so the news reacted accordingly. Of course, he sees it as one of the critical high points in his career and the first movie that gave him actor credibility.

[@michaelweston2285]

Boogie Nights and chill?

[@beachstreet101]

Boogie Nights is one of my favorite films.

[@laurenf.9336]

I bet you screen it regularly, Conan. ;-) ♥

[@jukedar]

Boogie nights turned out to be a great film

[@democracyisdying8225]

I thought that movie kind of revived his career a little bit. It gave him a boost.

[@greenedison6038]

Bert thought the movie would be a "career killer." He wasn't known for selecting good roles. He turned down some of the most iconic roles in movie history.

[@oonis.aucoix]

And yet it was easily his best film since Deliverance.

[@skyeslaton3435]

R.I.P to the legendary burt reynolds

[@stephenallen4625]

I'd pay so much money to watch PTA react to this video. Specifically the "i don't think he liked me"

[@jbot91]

Burt was awesome. Nothin wrong with him having his own tastes.

[@frankbijnens929]

Legend

[@Me-gs3uu]

There’s something that angers me on how he died not seeing Boogie Nights

[@ayubnor0]

R.I.P. Burt Reynolds

[@stephaneauger1036]

masterpiece this movie respect🎂✨✨✨✨✨

[@251Trioxin]

His best movie

[@joshuatrees797]

Weird attitude for a guy who posed almost-nude in the '70's - and his almost-nude photograph was a huge sensation back then. He was spectacular in Boogie Nights. I don't see the film as being about porn so much as it was about people who were living with childhood emotional pain they hadn't - or couldn't - overcome.

[@travisbickle9756]

Burt was lying, he definitely saw it. How can you create such an incredible character for a movie, get oscar nominated for it and not see it. Burt fooled us here.

[@mistercut8331]

i has been said he saw it and was so disappointed that fired his 'advisors' that got him to accept the part

[@sgt.thundercok4704]

Just 6 months before he passed away.

[@jakebee7205]

PTA offered him the earl partridge role in magnolia

[@scott7521]

What a shame he never saw the brilliance of that movie.

[@mecha175]

I enjoyed watching Burt Reynolds in all the movies he was in when I was a kid. Then I went through a phase of not liking his movies. After seeing Boogie Nights, I really had to reevaluate him as an actor. He was perfect in this role and in Deliverance. I don't think anyone could of played either part better than he did. He made a lot of films that I guess were made for the movie watcher to just enjoy watching, and weren't really made for any sort of serious acting to be going on. But he did play his parts well. I think when you look at his body of work, he is a national treasure. Probably more importantly, when you look at him and judge him by his personality, he was a genuinely good human being.

[@MMAReignsSupreme]

Burt was such a cool guy. It’s sad that he’s gone. He definitely looks like he was deteriorating healthwise from the looks of this video unfortunately

[@CameronBrooks]

Wow he never even watched it?? That’s like Billy Bob Thornton never watching Bad Santa

[@scrimshaw7470]

RIP Burt

[@pulphope]

Burt Reynolds seems to be morphing into Snoop Dogg before our very eyes

[@TheIkaika777]

He also fired his manager for suggesting taking the role.

[@mightysprocket]

Conan wanted to have an auto focus party with Burt :-0. Glad he didn’t see Boogie nights that way! RIP Burt Reynolds

[@comfortable.and.furious]

I just don't understand. It seems like Jack Horner was the role Burt was born to play. Such a great performance.

[@70sgirl42]

It had never occurred to me when I was younger that Burt Reynolds would ever be elderly...😢

[@zachhamilton3274]

I wonder if he ever watched it before he passed

[@JB19504]

"Horney" Jack Horner!

[@erestube]

Interesting. When Burt got a Golden Globe Award for his role, he was all praise for the director and the cast, saying the hard times he was going through prior to that movie was his problem. I wonder if he later whitewashed his own past or was BSing at the Golden Globes?

[@kohZeei]

@Team Coco can i join for that movie night conan? plz!! xD

[@Ironwind1972]

Sad seeing him as a broke down old man here, a shadow of his former self.

[@aclearpathtofollow8878]

damn, old age is a bitch. This guy was like the most handsomest hottest guy in the 70's. this doesn't bode well for the rest of us.

[@davidquintanilla3267]

Why does his head look small?

[@gradeahonky]

It's because makeup painted his features on too big, especially his eyebrows.

[@salsburysteakjr]

Burt's an icon & all that but the pointless applause every 20 seconds, yeesh. Shame he STILL hasn't realized what a great film Boogie Nights or that without it he likely wouldn't have enjoyed that brief boost of high profile job offers immediately following its celebrated release.

[@sharptoothtrex4486]

Unless Jeff Bridges, Chris Cooper, Dennis Hopper or Dennis Franz played Jack Horner instead of Burt Reynolds is something they should do.

[@geofingram9680]

Who else thought he is Ryan Reynold's father?

[@Metacognition88]

Geof Ingram just you

[@Mrhasbarafree]

He said this after Boogie Nights helped him pay his rent. Not before

[@uzaylos]

RIP

[@Leeware167]

I can not recall anyone speaking ill of him and that includes past relationships.