‘I intentionally omit him’: Burt Reynolds leaves son out of his will

Hollywood icon Burt Reynolds passed away suddenly at the age of 82 earlier this month, now new reports have revealed the division of his estate which is estimated to be worth around $5 million (AU$6.98m).

The Smokey and the Bandit star is said to have bequeathed nothing to his only child, adopted son Quinton Anderson Reynolds, in his last will and testament, instead nominating his niece Nancy Lee Brown Hess as the executor of his estate.

According to US gossip site The Blast, which claims to have seen court documents, the late screen legend made only one mention of 30-year-old camera assistant Quinton in the entire document.

“I intentionally omit him from this, my Last Will and Testament, as I have provided for him during my lifetime in my Declaration of Trust,” it reads.

However, the much-loved actor may not have left his son out completely, as it appears he may have established a trust for Quinton years earlier and deliberately left him out of the will so as to avoid any conflict of interest. It has also been suggested that this may have been done to avoid costly taxes.

Read more: ‘Smokey and the Bandit’ star Burt Reynolds dies aged 82.

Quinton was adopted by Reynolds and his second wife Loni Anderson in 1988, with Reynolds previously describing his only child as his “greatest achievement”.

“He’s a wonderful young man and is now working as a camera assistant in Hollywood,” Reynolds told US magazine Closer Weekly. “He never asked for any help with his career, he did it all himself, and I’m so proud of him. I love him very much.”

The Longest Yard actor passed away in hospital on September 6 after suffering a cardiac arrest, having complained of chest pains at his home in Florida, USA. He died surrounded by his family.

At the time, tributes poured in from loyal fans and fellow celebrities around the world, with his Boogie Nights‘ co-star Mark Wahlberg saying: “Rest in peace to a legend and a friend #BurtReynolds.”

While radio host Michael Des Barres said: “From ‘Deliverance’ to ‘Smokey and the bandit’ Burt Reynolds was an immensely talented actor. He was also a movie star. Not always the same thing. His self depreciation and sexuality so brilliantly woven. He won the hearts of men and women. RIP Burt Reynolds.”

Before his death, Burt had been cast in Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming movie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,which is based around the August 1969 Manson Family murders, including the brutal killing of pregnant actress Sharon Tate, who will be played by Aussie actress Margot Robbie.

It was announced back in May that he would take on the role of 80-year-old George Spahn in the film, which is set for release in 2019, however it is unclear whether Reynolds had actually begun filming.

Spahn, who was nearly blind, used to rent out his Los Angeles ranch as a location for Western films. Charles Manson and his ‘Family’ lived at the ranch in the months leading up to the murders. Rather than charging rent, Spahn had sex with Manson’s female followers, who also acted as his eyes.

What are your thoughts on this story? Have you written your own last will and testament?