Burt Reynolds became a star on one of the most popular Western TV shows of all time, but he only lasted 3 years before calling it quits.
- Reynolds made a smart decision to leave Gunsmoke and pursue his movie career while he was gaining some recognition, like other successful actors.
- Gunsmoke allowed Reynolds to showcase his talent and prepare him for iconic roles like Smokey and the Bandit, proving he could be a leading man beyond Westerns.
Gunsmoke was the Western TV show that made Burt Reynolds a star, but the ’70s icon left the series after just 3 years. ‘Gunsmoke remains one of the longest-running television series in history and was popular well before Reynolds was made part of the cast by following Marshal Dillon (James Arness) as he attempts to keep lawlessness from sweeping over Kansas. It started in 1955 and the actor joined the cast in 1962 playing Quint Asper, a half-Comanche blacksmith that ended up appearing in 50 episodes between then and 1965 when he decided to leave.
Reynolds managed to stand out despite only appearing in three out of 20 seasons, though there were issues between him and Arness that led to rumors he might quit. In an interview before his death for Cowboys & Indians, Reynolds finally set the record straight about his reasons for leaving one of the most beloved shows at the height of its popularity. As it turns out, a lot of it had to do with some advice he received on the set from Milburn Stone who played Doc Adams on Gunsmoke.
Burt Reynolds Left Gunsmoke Because His Movie C areer Was Taking Off
During a summer hiatus from shooting Gunsmoke Reynolds went and shot a movie and started to be noticed as a movie star. Milburn explained to him, “Your movies are taking off — get out of here,” and Reynolds listened. Given that he already had issues with Arness, and the fact that he had a burgeoning movie career, he had to decide to give it a shot in earnest without having to work around a steady schedule like Gunsmoke.
Had he remained on Gunsmoke it’s possible that he would have missed his moment for success elsewhere. Like George Clooney on ER, DAvid Caruso on NYPD Blue, or Dan Stevens on Bridgerton, he had to strike while the iron was hot even if it meant missing the show. Chances are he would have been fine, but he would have definitely missed out on the notoriety that having a large platform gave him.
Burt Reynolds Was Great On Gunsmoke – And It Proved He’d Be A Movie Star
