News broke earlier today that actor Burt Reynolds had passed away at the age of 82. He played many iconic characters throughout his decades in Hollywood, but for car guys, perhaps none were as memorable as his leading role in The Cannonball Run.
Based on a real-life illegal cross-country race held in the '70s, the film stars Reynolds as JJ McClure who, along with his partner played by the late Dom DeLuise, drives a modified Dodge ambulance in the race. The film features an all-star cast that includes Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Roger Moore, Farrah Fawcett and a young Jackie Chan. Check out the trailer below to see some of the action. Comedy aside, the movie has some pretty cool cars in it, like the Aston Martin DB5 and the Lamborghini Countach.
Of course, Reynolds also drove another iconic car in an equally memorable movie. His tenure behind the wheel of a Pontiac Firebird Trans Am in Smokey and the Bandit helped make the car a bestseller for General Motors. Here's the trailer for that one:
These movies came out before most of the TGP staff were even born, but we respect their cultural impact all the same. Rest in peace, Mr. Reynolds.
