October 12, 2016
The Palm Beach Post
When Burt Reynolds speaks at Rosarian Academy this weekend, for a screening of his film ÒHooperÓ to raise funds for the schoolÕs arts programs and his acting institute, heÕll be the main event. But there will also be something important to see out in the lobby.
ÒI was so thrilled with the award they gave me, because it was never given to actors before,Ó the Jupiter-raised legend said of the Richard Farnsworth Diamond Lifetime Achievement Award, given to him last year by the StuntmanÕs Association of Motion Pictures.
The honor, Òwhich was really something special,Ó was given in appreciation for ReynoldsÕ double duty as an actor and a stuntman, and for works like ÒHooper,Ó whose lead character is a stuntman, and which was directed by ReynoldsÕ friend, Hal Needham, also a stuntman.
ÒIt was an homage to (them). They were a big, big part of my life,Ó says Reynolds, who wanted to make the film, in which he plays the fictional ÒGreatest Stuntman AliveÓ Sonny Hooper because he thought general audiences Òhave a misconception about it. They donÕt know that there are actors that have done a lot of stunts.Ó
