Hollywood icon Burt Reynolds has passed away from a sudden heart attack at the grand old age of 82.

The actor Burt Reynolds will be best remembered for his roles in Boogie Nights, Smokey and the Bandit, and Deliverance, for which he received his first Oscar nomination. He was also nominated for Boogie Nights.

"My uncle was not just a movie icon, he was a generous, passionate and sensitive man who was dedicated to his family, friends, fans and acting students," Burt's niece Nancy Lee Hess told the BBC. "He has had health issues, however, this was totally unexpected."

She added: "I want to thank all of his amazing fans who have always supported and cheered him on, through all of the hills and valleys of his life and career."

Paying tribute, his Smokey and the Bandit co-star Sally Fields said in a statement: "There are times in your life that are so indelible, they never fade away They stay alive, even 40 years later. My years with Burt never leave my mind. He will be in my history and my heart, for as long as I live. Rest, Buddy."

Rest in peace to a legend and a friend. #BurtReynolds pic.twitter.com/HnmCCTv1d1

— Mark Wahlberg (@markwahlberg) September 6, 2018

During a 60 years career, Burt Reynolds had 186 credits to his name, according to the film industry bible, IMDb. Other popular films of his include The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, in which he starred alongside Dolly Parton, The Cannonball Run, Hopper, and City Heat with Clint Eastwood.

His first major role in Deliverance helped make him a household name. But it was a part he almost didn't get.

It was directed by Irish-based director John Boorman, who was the subject of a major Hot Press Interview last year. In it, he explained that he picked Burt Reynolds over Marlon Brando for the role of a lifetime in Deliverance because the latter was looking for too much money.

"I went to Jack Nicholson's agent and I said, ‘What do you want for Jack to do the picture?’ He said half a million dollars!" John Boorman told Hot Press. "Now, I knew that he never been paid more than $50,000 for a picture! I said, ‘That’s outrageous. He hasn’t done a big picture’. He said, ‘Well, that’s what we want. He’s going to be a great star.’

"I went to the studio and I said, ‘You wanted me to get two stars. Here they are: Jack Nicholson and Marlon Brando’. And they said, ‘Jack is up-and-coming and we’d like to do a picture with him. But Marlon Brando! Who cares about Marlon Brando? He’s finished!’

"So, I said, I think they’d match up very well’. He said, ‘What does Brando want?’ I said, ‘I agreed to pay him the same as Jack’. And that killed it because Ted Ashley, who was running the studio, said, ‘If I paid Marlon Brando half a million dollars I’d be laughed out of town’. So they said to me, ‘Make it with unknowns, for a very low price.’”

In the end, Burt Reynolds was paid $50,000 for the role that put him on the map. He went on to then star in Nickelodeon, The Longest Yard, The End, The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing and Woody Allen's Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex * But Were Afraid to Ask.

At the time of his death, it was reported that Burt Reynolds was making Quentin Tarantino's latest film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which would've introduced him to a whole new generation of moviegoers.

However, the film has overnight been taken off his credits on the IMDb and it's also being reported that he hadn't actually filmed any of his scenes for the new Tarantino movie.

“My uncle was looking forward to working with Quentin Tarantino, and the amazing cast that was assembled,” his niece Nancy Lee Hess has told People magazine, conforming that he hadn't begun work on it before his death.

Reynolds, who once posed as a centrefold for Playgirl back in the 1970s famously turned down the chance to play James Bond. He also reportedly turned down the lead role in The Godfather, which went to Al Pacino, and Hans Solo in Star Wars.

“I took the part that was the most fun… I didn’t take the part that would be the most challenging," he once told CNN.

Writing in his memoir But Enough About Me, Burt stated: "I didn't open myself to new writers or risky parts because I wasn't interested in challenging myself as an actor. I was interested in having a good time. As a result, I missed a lot of opportunities to show I could play serious roles. By the time I finally woke up and tried to get it right, nobody would give me a chance."

Burt Reynolds also produced and director over a dozen movies, including Sharky's Machine, which received great reviews at the time of its release.

Paying tribute, film director Edgar Wright said that Burt Reynolds was “underrated as a dramatic actor (Deliverance), underrated as a director (Sharkey’s Machine). Wright added that he was "also a rare movie star that seemed to be just having an absolute ball onscreen. Nobody broke frame with a bigger gleam in his eye.”

Here's some of the other tributes being paid since the news broke:

Sad to hear of the passing of legend, Burt Reynolds.

— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) September 6, 2018

I will never forget our dinners,laughs & gems you dropped. Meeting you was one of the greater joys of my adult life & artistic career. You were the “Man” then, now & forever in my book. 10-4 Bandit ,you’ve got nothing but open road now - love, WS. the Student. #burtreynolds 🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/uhdAGjtH8H

— WS (@wesleysnipes) September 6, 2018

A sad day, my friend BURT REYNOLDS Has passed away. I remember him back in 1979, he always reminded me that I should’ve cast him as Colonel Trautman in FIRST BLOOD , I said that’s… https://t.co/zlAEfpAiaP

— Sylvester Stallone (@TheSlyStallone) September 6, 2018

Burt Reynolds was one of my heroes. He was a trailblazer. He showed the way to transition from being an athlete to being the highest paid actor, and he always inspired me. He also had a great sense of humor - check out his Tonight Show clips. My thoughts are with his family.

— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) September 6, 2018

Burt Reynolds & Clint Eastwood were fired from GUNSMOKE & RAWHIDE at the same time. Burt was told he couldn't act and Clint his neck was too skinny. In the parking lot, Burt said to Clint, "I dunno what you're gonna do, but I'm gonna take acting lessons." #RIPBurtReynolds

— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) September 6, 2018

R.I.P. Burt Reynolds, underrated as a dramatic actor (Deliverance), underrated as a director (Sharkey's Machine), but also a rare movie star that seemed to be just having an absolute ball onscreen. Nobody broke frame with a bigger gleam in his eye. "Just watch ol' Bandit run." pic.twitter.com/L4NlRyqahb

— edgarwright (@edgarwright) September 6, 2018

Burt Reynolds was one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever worked with. He took me under his wing when I was first starting out as an actor and offered friendship, advice and guidance.
I’ll never forget how much that meant to me.

— Paul Wesley (@paulwesley) September 6, 2018

Burt Reynolds, you are the glorious dictionary definition of a golden man. Thank you for spreading your glow 🙏

— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) September 6, 2018