#8: Nude Cosmopolitan Cover

In April 1972, at the peak of his rising stardom, Reynolds posed nude for Cosmopolitan magazine, covering himself only with a bear’s pelt. It was a bold and shocking move at the time, and it skyrocketed his sex symbol status.

While the publicity helped make him famous, Reynolds later admitted he regretted doing it, as it overshadowed his acting talent—particularly in Deliverance, which was released later that year. Still, the image became iconic, making him the first mainstream male celebrity to do such a provocative shoot.