Burt Reynolds’ Boogie Nights Regret: Why He Hated Filming a Classic
Burt Reynolds once called his time on Boogie Nights the worst of his career, despite the film’s later success and his own Oscar nod. Discover what made the experience so tough for the legendary actor.
Burt Reynolds is remembered for a string of iconic roles, from the wild rides of Smokey and the Bandit to the tense drama of Deliverance. But his turn as Jack Horner in Boogie Nights, Paul Thomas Anderson’s sharp look at the adult film industry’s heyday, stands out for a different reason—at least for Reynolds himself.
By the time Boogie Nights came around, Reynolds’ career had hit a rough patch. He’d just come off a run of flops, including Striptease and a handful of forgettable comedies and straight-to-video flicks. So, landing the part of a seasoned adult film director in a much-hyped indie project seemed like a chance to get back in the good books with critics and punters alike. Mark Wahlberg, then best known for his music career, was cast as Eddie—soon to become Dirk Diggler—while Reynolds was set to play the mentor guiding him through the wild world of 1970s adult entertainment.
Clashing with a Young Director
Despite the film’s later reputation as a modern classic, Reynolds found the shoot anything but enjoyable. He struggled with the process from the start, and his main gripe was working with Anderson, who was just 26 at the time and still making a name for himself. Reynolds, a veteran of the industry, wasn’t thrilled about taking direction from someone so green.
He later admitted,
“I hated the experience. I thought I’d sold out, in a way. I wasn’t sure whether that was why they were offering the film to me, but apparently, I did it very well,”
and added,
“It won some awards, and I was proud of that. But I’ve done 60 films or something, and it was just the worst experience I ever had.”
Behind the Scenes Tension
Reynolds’ discomfort wasn’t just about the subject matter. The real issue was the dynamic on set. Anderson, full of energy and confidence, was keen to make his mark, but his approach didn’t sit well with the older star. Reynolds felt the director’s inexperience showed, and the two often butted heads. In his memoir, Reynolds didn’t mince words, writing,
“I wasn’t crazy about being [directed] by a guy who’s younger than some sandwiches I’ve had.”
Anderson himself later reflected on the tension, saying,
“I was 26 years old and really full of a lot of vinegar and confidence and barking directions at everybody, and I think just trying to get this film made. And I think some of that probably got directed at Burt, and he wasn’t having it, and nor should he have. But that’s not to say there weren’t great, great moments.”
Legacy of a Reluctant Performance
Despite all the behind-the-scenes drama, Reynolds’ performance as Jack Horner was widely praised. The film became a cult favourite, and Reynolds even scored an Oscar nomination for his work—though he never actually watched the finished product. For all the acclaim, he still looked back on the experience as a low point in his long career.
Boogie Nights helped launch Anderson’s career and gave Wahlberg a shot at serious acting, but for Reynolds, it was a job he’d rather forget. Even so, his portrayal remains one of the film’s highlights, capturing exactly what Anderson had hoped for, whether Reynolds enjoyed the ride or not.