The 73-year-old actress and her son Quinton express their gratitude for the messages of support as they reflected on the loss of the acting legend.
- September 8, 2018
AceShowbiz - Actress Loni Anderson is thankful for the messages of condolence following the death of her ex-husband Burt Reynolds.
The "Smokey and the Bandit" icon passed away on Thursday, September 6, aged 82, after suffering a cardiac arrest, with tributes pouring in from celebrity friends, fans, and co-stars, including Mark Wahlberg, Dolly Parton, and his ex-girlfriend Sally Field.
Now Loni and her son Quinton, from her marriage to Burt, have expressed their gratitude for the messages of support as they reflected on the loss of the acting legend, the actress' co-star in 1983 movie Stroker Ace.
"Quinton and I are extremely touched by the tremendous outpouring of love and support from friends and family throughout the world," Loni wrote in a statement issued to Fox News.
"Burt was a wonderful director and actor," she continued. "He was a big part of my life for twelve years and Quinton's father for thirty years. We will miss him and his great laugh."
The couple wed in 1988 and adopted Quinton during the union, which came to an end in 1993.
The pair's costly divorce contributed to Reynolds' financial struggles, forcing him to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1996. He auctioned off a series of movie mementos and properties to escape his money troubles.
Meanwhile, motor-mad fans of the late actor are preparing to stage their own memorial tribute in Long Island, New York with a ceremonial parade of over 100 classic Pontiac Firebird Trans Ams - the same model car featured in his classic film "Smokey and the Bandit".
The 100-Trans Am Salute will take place at Eisenhower Park, where drivers will also pay homage to former Big Apple resident Reynolds by dressing as his trucker character in the 1977 action comedy, which will be screened during the weekend festivities on September 28.
