Let me tell you a story about a true Hollywood icon, Burt Reynolds. Just before he passed away at the age of 82 last September, Quentin Tarantino had cast him as George Spahn, a blind rancher who let the Manson family stay on his land, in the film Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood. Unfortunately, fate intervened, and Burt passed away before filming began, leading to Bruce Dern stepping into the role. But here's the thing—Quentin still got to spend some unforgettable moments with his childhood hero, and it meant the world to him.
Getting to Know Burt Reynolds
Quentin Tarantino, now 56, shares how special it was to finally meet Burt Reynolds. "One of the most incredible parts of making this movie was getting to know Burt," he says with enthusiasm. "I grew up watching Burt on TV all the time. To connect with him at the end of his life, even for just a short while, and have meaningful conversations—both in person and over long phone calls—was such an incredible experience. It was like a dream come true."
From the Screen to the Spotlight
Quentin isn’t just a fan of Burt’s films, some of which have influenced his own work. He was also a huge admirer of Burt’s legendary appearances on talk shows, where his charm and wit stole the show. "I grew up listening to Burt Reynolds tell his own stories on Dinah Shore, Merv Griffin, Johnny Carson, and Mike Douglas," Quentin recalls with a smile. When they finally met, it was like magic. "Burt Reynolds would tell me a Burt Reynolds story, and I’d tell him a Burt Reynolds story," Quentin marvels. It was a mutual admiration society, and it made their connection even more special.
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The Joy of Collaboration
But the real highlight came when Burt joined the team for the script reading. "He came down to the script reading, and let me tell you, that was a thrill," Quentin says, his voice filled with excitement. Even though Burt didn’t get to play the role on screen, he rehearsed it, making it his last performance. And let’s not forget, Burt was always the king of one-liners. During the reading, when the cast, including Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio, introduced themselves, Burt deadpanned, "I’m Burt Reynolds. I’m playing the role of Marlon Brando." The room erupted in laughter, and it was a moment Quentin will never forget.
