#6: The Longest Yard Was a Career Highlight

In 1974, Reynolds starred in The Longest Yard, one of the most famous sports movies ever. He played Paul Crewe, a former pro quarterback who is sent to prison and forced to lead a football team of inmates in a brutal game against the guards.

The movie was a huge box office hit and remains one of Reynolds’ most beloved roles. He would later appear in the 2005 remake as the team’s coach, played by Adam Sandler in the lead role. The original cemented Reynolds as a top-tier star.