On February 11, 1936 a son was begat to Burton Milo and Fern (Miller) Reynolds. Burton Leon Reynolds, or “Burt Reynolds” as he is more commonly known, was born and spent his first years at 1703 Donora Street Lansing, Michigan.
His breakout film role was as Lewis Medlock in Deliverance (1972). Reynolds played the leading role in a number of box office films, including The Longest Yard (1974), Smokey and the Bandit (1977) and The Cannonball Run (1981). He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Boogie Nights (1997).
The actor returned to visit in 1987. He was in town as a radio commentator for the Florida State University football team at the FSU-Michigan State University game in September.
He had made a surprise visit to his former residence at 1703 Donora St.to take a picture for his mother at their former home.
Update: Burt Reynolds died on September 6, 2018.
Sources :
Lansing State Journal, Sept. 25 & 27, 1987
Lost Lansing article from Capital Area District Library Blog, February 13, 2011.
Eric Lacy, “Burt Reynolds finally reveals he was born in Lansing”, Lansing State Journal, November 19, 2015.