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5 Shocking Ways Burt Reynolds’ Iconic Nude Centerfold Changed His Life (And Career) Forever

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Few photographs in pop culture history are as instantly recognizable as Burt Reynolds’ iconic 1972 centerfold. The image—featuring the actor reclining nude on a bearskin rug, a cigarette dangling from his lips—was a scandalous, ground-breaking cultural moment that, as of this date in late 2025, continues to define his legacy. While initially intended as a "lark" or a joke, the decision to pose for *Cosmopolitan* magazine would become one of the biggest, most complex regrets of his entire life, forever changing the trajectory of his career from serious actor to global superstar and sex symbol.

This deep dive explores the full story behind the legendary photoshoot, the immediate and long-term consequences, and the surprising way Reynolds viewed the image decades later, as detailed in his memoir and the recent documentary, *I Am Burt Reynolds*.

Burt Reynolds: A Full Biography and Profile

Burton Leon Reynolds Jr. was an American actor, director, and producer whose career spanned six decades, establishing him as a major Hollywood icon, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s.

  • Full Name: Burton Leon Reynolds Jr.
  • Born: February 11, 1936, in Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
  • Died: September 6, 2018, in Jupiter, Florida, U.S. (Age 82)
  • Education: Attended Florida State University (FSU) on a football scholarship, where he played halfback. His football career was cut short by a knee injury in 1955.
  • Spouses: Judy Carne (m. 1963–1965), Loni Anderson (m. 1988–1994).
  • Notable Early Work: Television roles in series like *Gunsmoke* (1962–1965).
  • Breakthrough Films: *Deliverance* (1972), *The Longest Yard* (1974), and *Smokey and the Bandit* (1977).
  • Later Career Highlights: Received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Jack Horner in *Boogie Nights* (1997).
  • Memoir: *My Life* (1994) and *But Enough About Me: A Memoir* (2015).

The Groundbreaking 1972 Cosmopolitan Centerfold: A Culture Shock

In 1972, Burt Reynolds was a rising star. He had just completed the critically acclaimed, though physically demanding, film *Deliverance*.

The idea for a male nude centerfold belonged to the legendary editor-in-chief of *Cosmopolitan*, Helen Gurley Brown. Brown was known for her provocative, empowering approach to women's magazines, and she saw Reynolds as the perfect, macho, and humorous subject to break the gender barrier of the centerfold.

The photo, which appeared in the April 1972 issue, was shot by photographer Francesco Scavullo. It featured Reynolds lying on a bearskin rug, strategically covering the most sensitive parts of his body while maintaining a playful, smirking gaze directly at the camera.

1. It Was a "Lark" That Became a Cultural Earthquake

When Reynolds agreed to the photoshoot, he later claimed it was "just for laughs" or "a kick." His initial intention was to do something shocking and funny, a way to poke fun at the celebrity machine. However, the reaction was anything but a joke. The issue sold a staggering 1.5 million copies, instantly catapulting Reynolds from a respected actor to a global sex symbol and a household name. It marked the first time a major male celebrity posed nude for a women's magazine, a groundbreaking moment that redefined gender roles in media.

2. The Centerfold Overshadowed His Serious Acting Career

The timing of the *Cosmopolitan* spread was particularly problematic for Reynolds' dramatic aspirations. It was released just as his film *Deliverance* was gaining critical attention. The film, a brutal and serious examination of masculinity, was overshadowed by the playful, highly publicized nude photo.

Reynolds' appearance in the magazine made him a star, but it also made him a commodity. Serious directors and critics began to view him as a celebrity first and an actor second, a perception that would plague him for decades. The centerfold essentially cemented his image as a charismatic, humorous good ol' boy, which was great for box office hits like *Smokey and the Bandit* but detrimental to his pursuit of serious, Oscar-worthy roles.

3. Reynolds Believed It Cost Him an Oscar Nomination

In one of his most candid admissions later in life, Reynolds expressed profound regret over the centerfold, believing it had actively hurt his chances for an Academy Award. He stated that the industry, particularly the "old guard" of Hollywood, found the nude spread "crass" and unprofessional.

In the documentary *I Am Burt Reynolds*, friends and colleagues detailed how he felt the centerfold torpedoed his chances for a nomination for *Deliverance*. He also later expressed regret that it may have hurt his chances for a Best Actor nomination for *The Longest Yard* in 1974.

He famously called the decision to pose for *Cosmopolitan* "one of the biggest mistakes" of his life, a sentiment he repeated in his 2015 memoir, *But Enough About Me*.

The Long-Term Legacy of the Bearskin Rug Photo

Despite his personal regret, the 1972 centerfold remains an undeniable, powerful part of Burt Reynolds' legacy, and it had a lasting impact on how male celebrity was presented in media.

4. It Solidified His Status as a Global Heartthrob

While the photoshoot may have damaged his critical reputation, it cemented his status as the ultimate 1970s heartthrob. The image was a direct challenge to the traditional male gaze, flipping the script and presenting a male star as an object of desire for a predominantly female audience.

For a generation of women, the *Cosmo* centerfold was an empowering symbol, a piece of pop culture that celebrated female sexuality and agency. The image was so powerful that Reynolds' friend, actress Raquel Welch, even advised him on how to handle the sudden, massive fame and notoriety that followed.

5. The Photo Became a Defining Entity in His Final Years

Even decades later, the *Cosmopolitan* photo continued to be a major talking point. In 1997, his role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s *Boogie Nights* as the porn director Jack Horner was seen by many as a commentary on his own celebrity and the constant focus on his physical image. The role finally earned him the critical acclaim he craved, including an Oscar nomination, but even then, the nude photo was often referenced in interviews and retrospectives.

In his later years, Reynolds often spoke about the regret, but always with a touch of his trademark humor. His final reflections, captured in interviews and the documentary *I Am Burt Reynolds*, confirm that the centerfold was a double-edged sword: the move that made him a superstar was also the one he believed prevented him from being recognized as a serious artist.

burt reynolds naked
burt reynolds naked

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