Burt Reynolds Art Collection and Memorabilia Sold at Auction

Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP

Did you know there exists an oil painting of actor Burt Reynolds and his horse? Neither did we, until we heard about the recent two-day auction of Reynolds’s life and career memorabilia. Put on by Julien’s Auctions, the event took place at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, ArtDaily reports.

Objects from the actor’s film career included a 1977 Pontiac Trans Am car from Smokey and the Bandit, which was estimated to go for $80,000 and hammered for $450,000; a pair of Bandit cowboy boots that sold for $20,000; a Stoker Ace jacket and shirt fetching almost $10,000; and a gold pocket watch given to Reynolds by Sally Field, now someone else’s for just $13,750.

Beyond holding down an acting career, Reynolds was a businessman who has owned a football team, a dinner theater, a working ranch, an art collection, and even a museum (the Burt Reynolds and Friends Museum in Jupiter, Florida).

A large part of the auction was made up of Reynolds’s art collection, which included a Harold Shelton that went for $12,500; a Fred L. Williams painting of John Wayne for $8,750; a Thomas Kinkaid for $8,125; and a James Hutchinson for $5,937. Not exactly major numbers in the grand scheme of the art market, but we imagine it’s hard for a painting to compete when there’s a vintage Trans Am in the mix.

Reynolds’ collection joins the list of celebrity memorabilia sold at auction (see “Elvis Presley’s First Recording Is Highlight of Graceland Auction” and “Madonna’s Wedding Dress Sells For $81K”).


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