Happy Birthday, Good Ol' Boy: Here Are 8 Great Moments From Burt Reynolds' Career

(Art Zelin/Getty Images)

It seems like only yesterday that we were watching Bo Darville speeding through the South in his black Trans Am, but legendary entertainer Burt Reynolds is celebrating his 80th birthday today.

We guess it makes sense; Reynolds has already starred in a lifetime's worth of memorable film and TV roles, spanning genres such as action ("Navajo Joe," "White Lightning"), drama ("Boogie Nights," "Deliverance"), and even comedy ("The Longest Yard," "Evening Shade"). In fact, there really wasn't a role Reynolds couldn't imbue with his signature style and charm.

In celebration of Burt's major milestone, we're taking a look back at eight of the greatest moments from his career — including his good ol' Smokey films, of course.

'Deliverance' (1972)

Although Reynolds had already been in show business for over a decade, he shot to major fame after his star-making turn as Lewis Medlock in "Deliverance."

'The Longest Yard' (1974)

Reynolds' role in "The Longest Yard" elevated the film to cult status. It was such a hit, that it's already been remade three times — once in 2001 (as "Mean Machine") and twice in 2005 (as "The Longest Yard" and "Captain Masr").

'The Tonight Show' (1974)

Reynolds was always a great guest on the late-night circuit — especially when he was spraying whipped cream down Johnny Carson's pants.

'Smokey and the Bandit' (1977)

If there's an action-comedy that's somehow better than "Smokey and the Bandit," we haven't seen it.

'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas' (1982)

"The chemistry between us is special," Burt once said of working with Dolly Parton. It certainly shows in this clip from 1982's "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," too.

'Win, Lose or Draw' (1987)

Burt was an executive producer on the popular game show "Win, Lose or Draw," and some sources even claim the set was modeled after the star's own living room. He wasn't half bad as an artist, either:

'Evening Shade' (1990–1994)

Much like in "The Longest Yard," Reynolds' character of Wood Newton was also a former pro-football player — although this time, he was the coach of a much poorer team.

'Boogie Nights' (1999)

Burt Reynolds reportedly hated working with "Boogie Nights" director Paul Thomas Anderson — and claimed in 2015 that he's still never seen the film — but his turn as adult film producer Jack Horner earned him his only Oscar nomination, as well as a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor.