Museum for a good ol' boy

Burt Reynolds movies, sports on cheerful parade

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Burt Reynolds & Friends Museum calls itself the largest celebrity museum in Florida. And considering that the Sunshine State is home to the grandiose tastes of Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Lopez and Jackie Gleason, that's something.

But Burt's museum -- in a former bank off the Intracoastal Waterway in Jupiter, about an hour north of Fort Lauderdale -- is an imperative stop for any road trip to Super Bowl XLI. Not only is Burt a movie star, he's nearly a sports figure, as well.

Burt played football for the Florida State Seminoles. He starred in the classic 1970s football films "The Longest Yard" and "Semi-Tough."

He was also featured in "Deliverance," shot in the Okefenokee Swamp on the border between Georgia and Florida. We drove by the swamp a few days ago. We drove fast.

The son of an Army brat, Burt was born in Waycross, Ga., but settled in Florida at age 7. He still maintains a home in Hope Sound, outside of Jupiter. He comes by his museum now and then, but volunteer coordinator Jo Renkert said lately he has been under the weather. Burt turns 71 on Feb. 11.

The museum opened in 1988 in a small, cracker-style building on U.S. 1 in Jupiter. It moved to its present location in 2002. The not-for-profit museum is operated by a volunteer staff, and Burt is not officially connected with the endeavor.

But plenty of his stuff is.

The museum has a couple of thousand items about Burt, or "B.R.," as locals call him. You can see Burt's boots from "Smokey and the Bandit" (which co-starred Gleason) and shocking blue boots from "Striptease." There's the canoe from "Deliverance" and a football helmet from "The Longest Yard."

The hallowed halls are elegant in an un-Burt way, accented by long gold chandeliers and soothing shades of mauve.

The sports angle at the museum is not understated. Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga donated an autographed football helmet, and former Oakland Raiders receiver Fred Biletnikoff gave the museum his last jar of Firm Grip stickum. An autographed picture from Muhammad Ali states, "Enjoy life, it's later than you think." Former Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese visited the museum last week. He is the father of Bears quarterback Brian Griese.

After reading inscriptions from hundreds of Burt's celebrity friends, it is clear he is a fun guy. A 1983 autographed picture from Frank Sinatra says, "Dear Burt, why don't you cheer up and have a good time?" Former New York Yankees manager Billy Martin signed a picture, "To Burt, the only guy who will fight quicker than me -- and damn near as good."

Jane Fonda writes, "To Burt, I wish I knew you better." There are also pictures of Bette Davis, Mae West and Dinah Shore. In the "Striptease" section of the museum, his co-star Demi Moore writes, "Burt, whatever it takes I'm going to get you!"

BurtHeads could spend an entire weekend in Jupiter. Not far from the museum is Burt Reynolds Park, replete with easy-access boat ramp facilities.

Burt has encouraged Hollywood to utilize South Florida as the setting for more films. According to the museum, his "B.L. Stryker" TV series brought more film dollars ($48 million) to Palm Beach County than any other film or series shot in the county.

dhoekstra@suntimes.com