Burt Reynolds, a household name ringing of Hollywood superstardom, is now also synonymous with the town of Jupiter in Florida’s scenic Palm Beach County.

A local boy of humble beginnings, Burt grew up in small town Riviera Beach, Florida. His family didn’t have much, but Burt was content with the close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the Everglades, reveling in the natural paradise that offered fishing, boating and relaxation.

By the late '70s, Burt was a world famous movie star and certainly acting the part as he rubbed shoulders with presidents, famous sports figures and other major celebrities. But for all the fame and fortune, Reynolds never forgot his Florida roots and made a commitment to bring Hollywood back home.

Opened to the public in 2003, The Burt Reynolds & Friends Museum has maintained a mission to not only preserve the cultural contributions and legacy of Burt Reynolds but also to provide educational opportunities to young actors and filmmakers. On display is the Burt Reynolds lifetime collection, consisting of numerous sports, movie and Hollywood memorabilia, as well as honorary acknowledgements.

For a look at the collection, photo galleries, video clips and online store, go to http://www.burtreynoldsmuseum.org/information.html, or call 561-743-9955 for more information. Located at 100 N. U.S. Hwy. 1, on the northwest corner of U.S. Hwy. 1 and Indiantown Road in Jupiter, The Burt Reynolds & Friends Museum is open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, November through April, and Friday through Sunday, May through October. Contact Mike Daniel at mdaniel@burtreynoldsmuseum.org for more information.

Florida has not only been the site of scores of films, but also the home of a number of specialized film studios. One of the best-known Florida studios was Ivan Tors, owned by the Hungarian-born Hollywood producer of the same name who lived from 1916-84. Tors, who worked for the legendary Hal Roach, developed the “friendly animal” genre of programs that were filmed in Florida. It was Tors who produced “Flipper” and “Gentle Ben.” The latter Ivan Tors TV show featured the Everglades, with Dennis Weaver in the role of an Everglades ranger. Tors not only developed his own shows, but did the underwater shots for the James Bond movie Thunderball.

The studio complex is now called Greenwich Studios, and it is South Florida’s largest, located near the intersection of Biscayne Boulevard and North Miami Boulevard. Since “Flipper,” it has been the site of well known shows, most notably “Miami Vice.” While they do not have tours, the Ivan Tors legacy survives not only in the studio and its films and TV programs, but in the fact that it is located on Ivan Tors Boulevard, also known as NE 16th Avenue, and its logo includes a dolphin.

Those curious about the era can see a promotional video from the studio online at the Florida Memory Project, part of State Library and Archives of Florida.

Links
http://www.greenwichstudios.com/
http://www.floridamemory.com/PhotographicCollection/VideoFilm2/video.cfm?VID=28