#13: Gator, His Directorial Debut

Before Smokey and the Bandit, Reynolds made his directorial debut with Gator (1976), a sequel to White Lightning (1973). Playing Gator McKlusky, a former moonshiner turned government informant, Reynolds showcased his signature Southern charm and action skills.

While Gator wasn’t a critical darling, it proved that Reynolds had potential as a director, blending action, humor, and high-energy chase sequences. His experience behind the camera in Gator would later help him with future projects, though he ultimately preferred acting to directing.