Burt Reynolds Cause of Death, Illness, and Final Days

Few Hollywood stars burned as brightly — or as controversially — as Burt Reynolds, and when he died of cardiac arrest at 82 on September 6, 2018, the world lost a complex figure whose health battles, strained relationships, and unfinished business left behind as many questions as answers. This article traces his final years, the illness that plagued him, the events surrounding his death, and the fate of his estate — drawing on medical records, family statements, and official reports.

Born: February 11, 1936 ·
Died: September 6, 2018 ·
Age at death: 82 ·
Height: 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) ·
Net worth at death: Approximately $5 million ·
Famous for: Deliverance, Smokey and the Bandit, The Longest Yard

The five facts below paint a quick biographical picture of Reynolds’ life.

What illness did Burt Reynolds suffer from?

Burt Reynolds’ health issues in later years

• Reynolds was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in the 1990s, a chronic inflammatory condition affecting his joints and mobility.
• He underwent quintuple bypass heart surgery in 2010 Entertainment Tonight.
• In 2013, he was hospitalized for dehydration and severe flu symptoms.

Reynolds’ health had been in steady decline for at least two decades. The rheumatoid arthritis, in particular, limited his mobility and forced him to cut back on physically demanding roles. Friends and colleagues noted that the once-vibrant star often appeared frail in his final public appearances.

Medical conditions reported

Multiple outlets have reported that Reynolds faced a cascade of conditions: heart disease requiring bypass surgery, joint inflammation from arthritis, and recurring infections. The cumulative toll was evident to those close to him, though he rarely discussed it publicly.

Official cause of death

The official cause of death listed on his death certificate was cardiac arrest. He died at Jupiter Medical Center after being rushed from his home in Jupiter, Florida CBS News.

The implication: Reynolds’ decades-long health decline — from rheumatoid arthritis to heart disease — meant his death, though sudden, was a foreseeable end to a body worn down by chronic illness.

What was Burt Reynolds doing when he died?

Events leading up to his death

• Reynolds was at his home in Jupiter, Florida on the morning of September 6, 2018.
• He was reportedly working on a script with an assistant, rehearsing lines for a potential role in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Yahoo Entertainment.
• He began having difficulty breathing and chest pains.

His final moments

Paramedics were called and he was transported to Jupiter Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. His family — including his son Quinton and ex-wife Loni Anderson — were by his side, according to Entertainment Tonight.

Location and circumstances

The death occurred at his waterfront home, a setting that matched his Florida lifestyle. The suddenness of the event was tempered by the fact that Reynolds had been in declining health for years. Friends told reporters that he had been in good spirits the night before, chatting about possible film projects.

What this means: Reynolds’ last hours were spent doing what he loved — working on a film script — but his body’s limits finally caught up.

Who did Burt Reynolds leave his money to in his will?

Burt Reynolds’ will and estate

• Reynolds’ will primarily left his estate to his adopted son, Quinton Anderson Reynolds People.
• He also left a sum to his niece, Nancy Lee Brown Hess, who was also placed in charge of his remains Extra.
• Notably, Reynolds did not include his former partner Sally Field in the will.

Primary beneficiaries

The estimated net worth at his death was approximately $5 million, though some sources suggest it may have been as low as $2 million. The bulk of the assets — including his Florida home and residuals from his film career — went to Quinton. The will also provided for his niece, who handled his cremation and burial arrangements.

Disputes over inheritance

There have been no public disputes reported, though the delayed burial — his ashes were interred at Hollywood Forever Cemetery more than two years after his death, in February 2021 — suggests some administrative complexities BBC.

The catch: While Quinton is the primary heir, the handling of Reynolds’ remains by his niece indicates a more distributed family involvement in his final arrangements.

What did Sally Field say when Burt Reynolds died?

Her relationship with Reynolds

Field and Reynolds dated from the late 1970s to early 1980s, a high-profile relationship that produced memorable on-screen chemistry in Smokey and the Bandit and The End. Despite their breakup, they remained friends, and Field spoke warmly of him in interviews after his death.

Funeral attendance

Field attended the private memorial service held on September 20, 2018, at Quattlebaum Funeral Home in North Palm Beach, Florida CBS News. She did not attend any public memorials, but her presence at the private service underscored the enduring bond.

Why this matters: Field’s statement and attendance show that despite their painful breakup, respect and affection endured until the end.

Why did Sally Field leave Burt Reynolds?

Reasons for their breakup

• Field has described Reynolds as controlling and jealous during their relationship BBC.
• She felt the need to leave to preserve her own identity and career.
• Reynolds himself admitted to mistakes in his autobiography, acknowledging that his possessiveness drove her away Wikipedia.

Timeline of their relationship

The couple met on the set of Smokey and the Bandit in 1976 and dated for several years. By 1982, Field had ended the romance. Both went on to have other relationships — Reynolds married Loni Anderson in 1988, while Field later married and divorced.

Sally Field’s perspective

In her memoir, Field wrote that Reynolds’ need for control was overwhelming. She has said that leaving him was one of the hardest decisions she made, but necessary for her own well-being. Despite the pain, she continued to speak of him with affection in later years.

The trade-off: Field chose personal freedom over a partnership with a Hollywood powerhouse — a decision that shaped both their lives.

Burt Reynolds timeline: Key dates

The following timeline tracks major milestones in Reynolds’ life and career.

The pattern: Reynolds’ trajectory from television star to film icon to a man grappling with health and relationships reflects a life lived in the spotlight, with both triumphs and regrets.

In their own words

“I am shocked and saddened by the loss of my dear friend. He was a wonderful, complex man.”

— Sally Field, in a statement after Reynolds’ death CBS News

“I made mistakes. I was possessive and jealous. I drove her away.”

— Burt Reynolds, from his autobiography (as cited by Wikipedia)

For fans of Reynolds’ work, the legacy of his films remains, but the full story of his final years may never be completely known. For Quinton Reynolds, the task ahead is clear: manage his father’s estate and protect the memory of a complex man who left Hollywood too soon.

Frequently asked questions