Burt Reynolds Death: Cause, Sally Field Reaction, Net Worth

Fame and fortune don’t always go hand in hand, and Burt Reynolds’ story is a reminder that even Hollywood’s biggest stars can face financial and personal struggles behind the scenes. The actor who charmed audiences in Smokey and the Bandit and earned an Oscar nod for Boogie Nights died in 2018 at age 82, leaving behind a legacy that’s as complicated as it is beloved. Here’s what we know about the cause of his death, his relationship with Sally Field, and the state of his finances in his final years.

Born: February 11, 1936 ·
Died: September 6, 2018 (age 82) ·
Cause of death: Cardiac arrest ·
Net worth at death: Estimated $3 million ·
Famous for: Deliverance, Smokey and the Bandit, Boogie Nights

Eight key facts about Burt Reynolds, from his full name to his cause of death.

What was the cause of Burt Reynolds’ death?

Official cause: cardiac arrest

Burt Reynolds died on September 6, 2018, at Jupiter Medical Center in Florida. The official cause of death was cardiac arrest, as reported by Fox News.

Role of pre-existing conditions

Secondary reporting from ReportDesk.uk notes that Reynolds had a history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation — factors that contributed to his cardiac arrest. The medical examiner listed these as contributing conditions.

The implication: Reynolds’ health was fragile, and stress may have played a role in his final years.

What did Sally Field say about Burt Reynolds when he died?

Sally Field’s statement after his death

In a statement to Variety, Field said: “He was a complicated man. I will always remember him with a certain fondness.” She added that the years they shared “will never leave my mind.”

Her reflection on their relationship

In a 2022 interview with CNN, Field was more candid: “He was not someone I could be around. He was not good for me in any capacity.” She also told The New York Post that Reynolds “invented a story that I was the love of his life” — a narrative she felt was exaggerated.

“He was a complicated man. I will always remember him with a certain fondness.”

— Sally Field, via Variety

Was Burt Reynolds poor when he died?

Financial struggles after peak career

Reynolds’ financial troubles were well documented. He lost millions through a series of bad investments, two expensive divorces, and a costly lawsuit against a former business partner. By the 2000s, he was selling off assets and accepting lower-profile roles to stay afloat. Like his friend Kenny Rogers, Reynolds faced financial challenges later in life.

Net worth and assets at death

At his death, Celebrity Net Worth estimated his net worth at approximately $3 million — a far cry from the $20 million he once had. Parade also reported a similar figure. He was not impoverished, but he was certainly not living in the lavish style of his heyday.

The catch: Wealth can disappear without disciplined management.

Who was the true love of Burt Reynolds’ life?

His relationship with Sally Field

Reynolds never wavered in his public declarations: Sally Field was the love of his life. In his memoir, he wrote, “Sally was the love of my life. I should have married her.” Fox News covered the statement extensively.

Other significant relationships

Reynolds was married twice: to actress Judy Carne (1963–1965) and to actress Loni Anderson (1988–1994). He also had a long relationship with country singer Dinah Shore. But by his own account, none compared to Field.

“Sally was the love of my life. I should have married her.”

— Burt Reynolds, from his memoir

Why did Sally Field leave Burt Reynolds?

Field’s reasons for ending the relationship

Field has said she left because Reynolds was controlling and unwilling to commit. In a Country Living interview, she described the relationship as “complicated and hurtful, but not without loving and caring.” She also cited his affairs as a key factor.

Reports of control issues and infidelity

Multiple biographies note that Reynolds had a jealous streak and that his infidelity was a persistent problem. CNN reported that Field felt she had to “save herself” by leaving.

The pattern is clear: Reynolds’ need for control and his inability to settle down drove away the woman he later called his greatest love.

Timeline

• 1936: Born in Lansing, Michigan (Wikipedia)
• 1972: Breakthrough role in Deliverance (Wikipedia)
• 1977: Began relationship with Sally Field on set of Smokey and the Bandit (CNN)
• 1980: Split from Sally Field (Variety)
• 1988: Married Loni Anderson; divorced 1994 (Wikipedia)
• 1997: Nominated for Academy Award for Boogie Nights (Wikipedia)
• 2018: Died of cardiac arrest at age 82 (Variety)

Quotes from key voices

“He was a complicated man. I will always remember him with a certain fondness.”

— Sally Field, statement to Variety

“Sally was the love of my life. I should have married her.”

— Burt Reynolds, from his memoir

“He was not someone I could be around. He was not good for me in any capacity.”

— Sally Field, CNN interview, 2022

For readers who grew up with Reynolds’ films, the contrast between his public charm and his private struggles is a sobering reminder. For Sally Field, the decision to walk away was a matter of self-preservation. Reynolds’ greatest role may have been the one he played off-screen — the man who could never quite hold on to the love he wanted most.

Reynolds was one of the last of a generation of Hollywood leading men that includes Harrison Ford.

Frequently asked questions