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Burt Reynolds on being smart enough to enjoy your own success
"I'd be an idiot if I didn't."
Fame can be enough to make anyone's head spin, but some people get so caught up in trying to keep their success that they forget to, you know, actually enjoy it.
Burt Reynolds had to work hard for his success and to struggle and claw his way to the top. By the time he finally reached stardom with his role as Quint Asper in Gunsmoke, Reynolds was able to look around and appreciate his well-earned achievements. More than that, he expressed his belief that success was quite a long time coming.
So, did he enjoy his success?
"I'd be an idiot if I didn't." He said in an interview with the Memphis Press-Scimitar. "All my contemporaries made it before I did. I got so tired of having people reach across my face to get someone else's autograph that of course, I'm going to enjoy it."
For Reynolds, the harder the work was, the sweeter the reward was sure to be. In an interview with The Buffalo News, Reynolds also described his acting philosophy. "Actors aren't like athletes. Acting is an art form. I realized I had to develop a good reputation as an actor. I've learned I must grow with my craft."
Reynolds had also put in his time and energy on roles that he exceeded in but did not gain recognition for. "I've appeared in 129 TV shows in three years. I became the best-known unknown actor in Hollywood."
Even by the time he had made it to the cast of Gunsmoke, the actor knew that while he could enjoy the high of stardom, it didn't mean that he could get lazy, especially when he was working with actors of such caliber as his costars. "It's a wonderful cast," Reynolds said.
Ultimately, Reynolds was talented enough that his acting ability paved his way to the spotlight; however, it was his determination and hard work that kept him there. "I know it's up to me to be interesting and exciting as an actor." He said.
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