Whether you knew him from his 1970s film Smokey and the Bandit or his most recent effort The Last Movie Star, but Burt Reynolds is a face you'd recognise.

The Hollywood legend died today at a Florida hospital after suffering cardiac arrest. He was 82 years old.

Entertainment reporter Sam Rubin told Heather du Plessis-Allan that while Reynolds has had health issues for several years.

He says that athletic injuries and years of stunts plagued him during his life.

“He often talked about the fact that it was hard for him to fly anymore, because to go through that security machine, he was so put together with wires and screws.”  

However, Rubins says that the health issues did not dull Reynolds personality.

“He had a fantastic spirit, he had a wonderful sense of humour about himself.”

LISTEN TO SAM RUBINS TALK WITH HEATHER DU PLESSIS-ALLAN ABOVE