Burt Reynolds and Clint Eastwood were both well-known actors, but they were both sacked from the same studio around the same time.

In 1958, Universal Studios had contracts with Eastwood and Reynolds. However, the two actors’ fortunes changed a year later as they became friends. They were both fired by the studio in the same year, but for different reasons. Universal didn’t like how Eastwood looked. They particularly disliked Eastwood’s prominent Adam’s apple.

Eastwood was let go for something he couldn’t change, according to Reynolds.

Burt Reynolds discussed his lengthy career, which started with another iconic name, Clint Eastwood, in an interview with CNN’s Larry King in August 2000.

“I always tell the story that we were fired the same day, but we weren’t. We were fired the same year,” Reynolds said to King.

Burt Reynolds | Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

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It’s difficult to believe that these two, who are now regarded as legends, were previously let go by a Hollywood production company.

“He was fired because his Adam’s apple stuck out too far. He talked too slow. And he had a chipped tooth and he wouldn’t get it fixed,” Reynolds explained. “And I said, ‘Why are you firing me?’ The people at the studio replied, ‘You can’t act.‘”

Reynolds said that it wasn’t a “blow” when King questioned the Smokey and the Bandit actor if it was.

“No. I said — no, I said to Clint, you know, you are really screwed, because I can learn how to act. You can’t get rid of that Adam’s apple. And it’s held him back. It’s held him back,” he chuckled.

“He never made it,” King said in jest.

Ultimately, Reynolds and Eastwood succeeded in Hollywood. In the end, they caused Universal to regret letting them go. Early in his career, Reynolds participated in a number of westerns, playing a noteworthy part on the “Gunsmoke” television series, for example. When he made an appearance in “Deliverance” and then “Smokey and the Bandit,” his acting career took off.

Eastwood, meanwhile, made his television debut by playing the lead in “Rawhide.” Later, he had an appearance in the “Dollars” trilogy, which contributed to his rise to prominence. With a series of westerns and subsequently detective movies, Eastwood’s popularity rose. Later on, he even made an appearance in a Universal film.

The next time Reynolds worked at Universal Studios, he was paid $1 million, according to Reynolds. When Eastwood returned to work at Universal Studios, he was paid the same amount.

They both had the last laugh. Together, they appeared in the 1984 film City Heat.

Eastwood’s physical characteristics eventually did not hinder him, as he rose to prominence both as an actor and a director. Reynolds was questioned by Mike Fleming Jr. on why Eastwood kept making movies as he aged in a Deadline interview. Reynolds made a crack, “Well, maybe he just got married and he wants a new house.”

“I don’t know. But knowing Clint, he loves to do what he does, and he’s very, very good at it. He’s the best of my group, at directing, and I think he’ll do it till he drops over.”

Reynolds also said that he didn’t always get along with other actors of his generation. He criticized James Caan, for instance, calling him a fake tough guy. Reynolds, on the other hand, claimed to be friends with Eastwood and commended the actor’s sincerity.