Divorce is never an easy decision, especially when it involves a Hollywood icon like Burt
Reynolds.
The actor, known for his charming persona on and off the screen, was married to actress
Loni Anderson for five years before their highly publicized split in 1994.
While Anderson cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the divorce, rumors of infidelity
on both sides soon surfaced.
In this video, we'll take a closer look at the tumultuous relationship between Burt Reynolds
and Loni Anderson, and explore the allegations of cheating that ultimately led to their separation.
Factsverse Presents: She Divorced Burt Reynolds, But She Cheated on Him First
A Disastrous Marriage
Burt Reynolds and Loni Anderson were two of the most iconic and dazzling stars of the
70s and 80s.
Reynolds skyrocketed to fame with his leading roles in action-packed comedy flicks like
Smokey and the Bandit, The Cannonball Run, and The Longest Yard, and even earned an Oscar
nomination for his impressive performance in Boogie Nights.
Anderson, on the other hand, stole hearts and captured attention with her role as the
sultry receptionist, Jennifer Marlowe, in the popular sitcom, WKRP in Cincinnati, and
starred in a plethora of TV movies and miniseries, including The Jayne Mansfield Story and Partners
in Crime.
Reynold’s and Anderson's love story was once a glamorous fixture among the rich and
famous.
They met in 1981, and after seven years of dating, tied the knot in a quiet, 20-minute
ceremony at Reynolds' Florida ranch in April 1988.
65 guests attended their wedding, including famous names like Ann-Margret and Jim Nabors.
The groom designed a 7-carat ring for his bride, and People magazine reported that the
wedding was all about "the couple's love and respect for each other."
While their love story started off like a fairy tale, sadly, their marriage didn't last.
Five years after exchanging vows, Reynolds served Anderson with divorce papers.
What followed was a very public and ugly divorce, with accusations of cheating and financial
disputes.
It All Fell Apart
Their once picture-perfect marriage had become a tragic story of deceit, hidden truths, and
adultery.
Reynolds accused Anderson of being a shopaholic who recklessly spent his money, even buying
things in triplicate, while also claiming she had affairs with several men, including
a cocktail waitress who later sued him for defamation.
Reynolds, wanting to clear his name, challenged her to take a lie detector test, but Anderson
refused to comply.
Anderson refuted Reynolds' accusations and claimed that he was the unfaithful partner
in their marriage.
She did later admit to having an affair but only after discovering that Reynolds had been
cheating on her for years.
Anderson also revealed that Reynolds was emotionally distant, neglectful of their son, and had
not been intimate with her for almost three years before they divorced.
She even stated that Reynolds had a serious addiction to painkillers and alcohol, which
only added to their problems.
Their Divorce Was Equally Disastrous
Despite leaving divorce court hand-in-hand and smiling for the cameras, the couple's
split had been far from amicable.
Reynolds had to pay over $2 million in divorce-related expenses and $47,000 a month in child support.
Outside of the courthouse, Burt joked to reporters that he was glad America was so curious about
their story and that their marital problems were able to sell newspapers for a year and
a half, even if it didn't translate into more money for him.
Anderson took her time before speaking out about her tumultuous marriage to Reynolds.
She had even warned others not to get involved, knowing it would turn into a circus.
Reynolds seemed to want to make the whole thing into this big, nasty war, but she didn't
want any part of it.
However, once the divorce was finalized, Anderson unloaded her side of the story.
But even after opening up, she still claimed not to understand why Reynolds had left her.
Anderson Painted Reynolds As a Monster
According to Anderson’s version of events, Reynolds humiliated her by throwing her out
of their home and accusing her of being a bad mother.
Anderson further alleged that Reynolds had beaten her numerous times, which she attributed
to his alleged drug use.
The couple hadn't spoken since their separation, and Anderson was concerned about Reynolds'
erratic behavior around their son.
She insisted on having a nanny present when their son visited his father, claiming that
Reynolds had once thrown a chair at the regular nanny, prompting the need to hire a substitute
to take over her duties.
As part of their divorce settlement, Reynolds had bought Anderson a house but failed to
pay the mortgage, which inevitably led to mounting late fees.
He also didn't always pay the $15,000 monthly child support that he owed for their son.
Because of this, Anderson had to have her lawyers handle the situation so that she could
receive the money that she was rightfully owed.
The legal battle dragged on for years and decades, with lawyers working on the case
continuously.
Reynolds ultimately declared bankruptcy before he could pay Anderson the full amount he owed
her.
Finally, in 2015, Reynolds wrote a check for $154,520, finally putting an end to their
divorce settlement.
After all was said and done, Reynolds admitted that marrying the actress had been a "dumb
move" on his part.
Burt’s Final Curtain Call
Burt Reynolds, being a beloved Hollywood legend, transcended the silver screen to become an
icon of humor, charm, and charisma.
Reynolds' passing on September 6, 2018, at the age of 82, left a profound impact on millions
of fans worldwide, who grew up watching him in classic movies and TV shows, such as Smokey
and the Bandit, Deliverance, and Boogie Nights.
The cause of death was a heart attack, and he passed away in a Florida hospital surrounded
by his family.
Despite his iconic status, Reynolds was also a human being who faced several hardships
in his life, including health issues that led to heart bypass surgery in 2010.
Additionally, as we already briefly touched on, he struggled with addiction to painkillers
and alcohol and faced financial troubles due to failed investments and lawsuits.
Nevertheless, Reynolds' indomitable spirit never wavered, and he continued to act until
the end of his life, even working on a film called Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, directed
by Quentin Tarantino, which he, unfortunately, could not finish due to his passing.
The news of Reynolds' death sparked an outpouring of tributes from his friends, colleagues,
and admirers in the entertainment industry, who remembered him for his infectious laugh,
sparkling eyes, and quirky sense of humor.
Even Sally Field, his ex-girlfriend, and co-star in several films paid a heartfelt tribute
to him, acknowledging the indelible impact he had on her life.
But, what about Loni Anderson?
Despite the bitter and dramatic way in which their marriage ended, Anderson broke her silence
after Reynolds' death and issued a statement with their son, Quinton, expressing their
gratitude for the tremendous outpouring of love and support from friends and family worldwide.
Anderson even revealed that she had spoken to Reynolds on the phone a few days before
he died and had a lovely conversation with him.
Not to get too off topic, but it’s worth noting that It took more than two years after
his death for Reynolds' ashes to find their final resting place, near a lake in the Hollywood
Forever Cemetery.
The reason for the delay remains unclear, but some sources suggest that it was due to
legal issues or family disputes.
Though Reynolds may be gone, his legacy will forever remain in the hearts of his fans and
loved ones, who remember him as a true Hollywood icon, an actor, and a director who left behind
a unique and unforgettable cinematic imprint that will never be replicated.
Anderson’s Happily Ever After
Loni Anderson may have had a rocky marriage with Burt Reynolds, but she didn’t give
up on love.
She found her soulmate in Bob Flick, a musician and one of the founding members of the folk
band The Brothers Four.
The couple met in 1963 at a movie premiere in Minneapolis, where Anderson was working
as a model and Flick was performing with his band.
They had a brief romance but lost touch for decades.
They reconnected in 2003 when Anderson attended a reunion concert of The Brothers Four.
She was surprised to see Flick on stage, and he was delighted to see her in the audience.
They exchanged phone numbers and started dating again.
They realized that they still had a strong connection and a lot in common.
They both loved music, art, and traveling.
They also shared a passion for animal rights and philanthropy.
Anderson and Flick married in 2008, in a private ceremony at the Chronic Care Center in Los
Angeles, where Anderson’s parents were living.
They invited only their closest friends and family members, including Anderson’s children
Deidra Hoffman and Quinton Reynolds, and Flick’s children Jody and Jennifer.
Anderson wore a champagne-colored gown designed by her daughter Deidra, who is a fashion designer,
while Flick wore a black tuxedo with a red rose boutonniere.
Anderson and Flick have been happily married for more than 14 years now.
They live in a cozy house in Sherman Oaks, California, with their three dogs.
They enjoy spending time together, and going to concerts, museums, and restaurants.
They also support various charities, such as the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,
the American Lung Association and Guide Dogs of America.
Anderson is still active with her career as an actress.
She has appeared in several TV shows and movies since marrying Flick, such as So Notorious,
My Sister Is So Gay, and Love You More.
She also wrote an autobiography titled My Life in High Heels, where she shared her personal
stories and experiences.
Flick is also still involved with music.
He continues to perform with The Brothers Four, who have been touring around the world
for over 60 years.
He also produces music for other artists and works as a consultant for entertainment shows.
Anderson and Flick have proven that love can last a lifetime, even after going through
hardships and heartbreaks.
They have found happiness and peace with each other, and they cherish every moment they
have together.
Truly, they are an inspiration for anyone who believes in true love.
Well, we’ve pretty much said all that we have to say on the topic of Burt Reynold’s
and Loni Anderson’s nightmare of a marriage, but it’s nice to know that Anderson finally
found her forever partner.
Before you go, we’d love to hear your take on things.
Did you know that Burt Reynolds accused Loni Anderson of cheating first and that she accused
him of physical abuse?
Let us know in the comments.
And as always, thanks for watching!