Burt Reynolds became a 70s sex symbol after Cosmopolitan Magazine featured him in what is now, the infamous iconic spread published in the April edition in 1972. Taken by the famous photographer Francesco Scavullo, Burt picked this photo out of the bunch for publication. Upon publication, it not only gave Cosmo mag some major sexy notoriety and a boost in sales. The popularity of the photo also spawned the launch of Playgirl magazine.
When Burt posed for the photo back in ‘72, he thought it would be fun. The morning after the publication came out, a large group of women carrying the issue waited outside his home. Suddenly, people were carrying it into theaters where he was performing hoping to get an autograph.
In 2016, Burt thought it was “stupid” of him to pose for the photo since he wondered if this act had robbed him of the Oscar nomination he had for the film “Deliverance” in 1972 according to this article from Uproxx. True that when you’re younger you might do something you later come to regret, but it did get him some major attention at the time which we know isn’t the equivalent of an Oscar, but no doubt it was a major box office draw for him and the success that followed.
An obscure fact about our featured Hairy Man of the 1970s: in 1973, Reynolds released his debut album, “Ask Me What I Am” which was produced by Bobby Goldsboro and Buddy Killen and was released on the Mercury/Phonogram label. You can buy the album on Amazon or, you can listen to it here.
Burt Reynolds died September 6th, 2018 of a Heart Attack at Jupiter Medical Center in Jupiter, Florida. Between his career and his personal life, he left one hell of a legacy behind. And while he may not have liked his nude photoshoot once he got older, a whole lot of people loved it! And, we’re happy he did it, too.
Thank you, Mr. Reynolds.
