Burt Reynolds Wife: A Look at His Marriages, Great Loves, and Enduring Romantic Legacy

Many people searching for Burt Reynolds’ wife want to understand the complicated, glamorous, and often heartbreaking love life of one of Hollywood’s most iconic stars. Reynolds was more than a box-office powerhouse—he was a cultural phenomenon whose charm, humor, and swagger captivated audiences for decades. His romantic life was just as dramatic as his films, involving two marriages, several high-profile relationships, and one great love he never got over. Although Reynolds passed away in 2018, the story of his wives and the women who shaped his life continues to intrigue fans around the world. This article takes a close look at Burt Reynolds’ marriages, the loves that defined him, and the emotional truths he revealed late in life.

Who Was Burt Reynolds?

Burt Reynolds was one of the biggest movie stars of the 1970s and 1980s. With hits like Smokey and the Bandit, Deliverance, The Longest Yard, and Cannonball Run, he became a symbol of rugged masculinity mixed with quick wit. His confidence—part charm, part mischief—made him irresistible to audiences and co-stars alike.

But Reynolds was not just a screen legend; he was a deeply emotional man whose private struggles sometimes clashed with his public image. Behind the scenes, he longed for meaningful relationships, stability, and family. This tension shaped every major romance in his life and helps explain why people continue asking about his wives and partners years after his passing.

Burt Reynolds’ First Wife — Judy Carne

The first answer to Burt Reynolds wife is Judy Carne, the British actress most famous for her role on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In. Reynolds and Carne met in the early 1960s when both were rising stars in Hollywood. Their chemistry was immediate, and the couple married in 1963.

Their marriage, however, was short-lived. Lasting just two years, it was marked by conflicting work schedules, emotional immaturity, and a fast-paced Hollywood lifestyle neither was fully prepared for. Reynolds later admitted that he was too young and not ready for the responsibilities of marriage. Carne, on her side, struggled with pressures from fame and personal challenges that intensified over time.

Their divorce in 1965 was relatively quiet compared to his later relationships, but it remained an important part of Reynolds’ early years—his first brush with how difficult balancing fame and love could be.

Burt Reynolds’ Second Wife — Loni Anderson

The most famous and publicly scrutinized answer to Burt Reynolds wife is Loni Anderson, the glamorous actress best known for WKRP in Cincinnati. When Reynolds and Anderson began dating, they instantly became one of Hollywood’s most photographed couples. Their beauty, fame, and charisma made them tabloid favorites throughout the 1980s.

They married in 1988 in a lavish ceremony that cemented their status as Hollywood royalty. During their marriage, the couple adopted a son, Quinton, and from the outside, they seemed like a picture-perfect family. But behind closed doors, cracks were forming.

Their relationship deteriorated dramatically. By 1993, the couple engaged in one of Hollywood’s most public and contentious divorces. Accusations, financial disputes, and clashing personalities filled headlines. Reynolds later called the divorce one of the most painful events of his life, though he consistently stated his love for their son never wavered.

Despite the bitterness of their breakup, their marriage remains a defining chapter in his romantic history—a story of intense love, glamour, conflict, and regret.

His Greatest Love — Sally Field

Although Burt Reynolds was married twice, many fans feel the real answer to Burt Reynolds wife—in terms of deep emotional connection—should be Sally Field. Reynolds and Field met while filming Smokey and the Bandit in the late 1970s, and their chemistry was instant. They became one of Hollywood’s most beloved couples, starring together in several films and becoming inseparable off-screen.

Field described their relationship as passionate, chaotic, and emotionally intense. Reynolds admitted in interviews that he struggled with insecurity, fame, and jealousy, all of which strained their relationship. After several years together, they ultimately went their separate ways.

But Reynolds never stopped thinking about her. In his 2015 memoir, he wrote that Field was “the love of my life” and that not marrying her was “the biggest regret I have.” Field, however, later revealed that their relationship had been difficult and that separating was necessary for her emotional well-being. Still, their bond remains one of Hollywood’s most iconic—and tragic—love stories.

Other Significant Relationships in His Life

Beyond his wives and Sally Field, Burt Reynolds had other important romances that shaped his life:

Dinah Shore:

One of the most influential women in his early career, Shore was a legendary entertainer nearly 20 years his senior. Their relationship was nurturing and meaningful. Shore taught Reynolds about fame, style, and emotional maturity. He later said she helped him become a better man.

Tammy Wynette:

Reynolds briefly dated the country music icon, adding another layer to his eclectic romantic history.

His relationships with various actresses, models, and public figures, while sometimes short-lived, reflected his enduring desire for connection and his struggles with fame’s pressures.

Burt Reynolds as a Father

One of the brightest parts of Reynolds’ personal life was fatherhood. He adopted his son, Quinton Anderson Reynolds, with Loni Anderson, and he often said Quinton was the greatest gift he ever received. Even after his marriage to Anderson ended acrimoniously, Reynolds remained devoted to raising his son, keeping him away from public drama as much as possible.

In interviews, Reynolds expressed regret that his romantic mistakes sometimes overshadowed the stability he wanted to provide. But he saw Quinton as his proudest legacy.

Burt Reynolds’ Romantic Legacy

Burt Reynolds’ romantic history reflects the complexity behind his public image. While his marriages to Judy Carne and Loni Anderson were significant chapters, it was his love for Sally Field that lingered into his final years. His relationships were deeply influenced by the pressures of fame, the demands of Hollywood, and his own emotional battles.

Yet despite heartbreak and regret, Reynolds remained open about his desire for love and the importance of relationships in shaping his life. Fans continue to revisit these stories because they offer insight into a man who was larger than life on screen but very human off-screen.