Alfie Wise dead: Burt Reynolds' pal and Smokey and the Bandit star dies

Actor Alfie Wise has died, aged 82, it's been announced. He's remembered for his roles in films like Smokey and the Bandit, which starred his late friend Burt Reynolds, whom he collaborated with on numerous projects in his career.

It's been reported this week that Alfie died from natural causes at a medical facility in Florida two weeks ago. The news was shared with the Hollywood Reporter by his partner Stephanie Bliss, who has been described as his longtime fiancée.

Alfie had a decades-long career in acting before retiring 25 years ago. He made his debut in the film Call Her Mom, which was released back in 1972, and that same year he also had a role on CBS sitcom the Sandy Duncan Show.

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His appeared alongside his late friend Burt, who died seven years ago, in several projects over the course of his career. The two actors are said to have first worked together on the original the Longest Yard, released in 1974.

They both appeared in Smokey and the Bandit (1977), which centred on bootleggers Bo 'the Bandit' Darville and Cledus 'The Snowman' Snow, played by Burt and Jerry Reed respectively. Alfie played a patrolman in the film.

The following year, Alfie and Burt were in the film the End (1978) together as well as Hooper (1978). Burt played stunt coordinator Sonny Hooper in the latter film, whilst Alfie was instead cast as the lead character's assistant Tony.

Alfie and Burt were both in Starting Over (1979) too. They continued to work together in the 1980s, with their joint credits including the films Paternity (1981), the Cannonball Run (1981), Stroker Ace (1983), City Heat (1984) and Heat (1986).

Later in the decade, Alfie had a recurring role in the ABC detective drama series B.L. Stryker, which starred Burt as the titular character. Alfie played Oliver Wardell in the show, which ran for two seasons between 1989 and 1990.

Alfie's other acting credits include films like Hot Stuff (1979). Whilst his other roles on TV included him having starred as paramedic Sidney 'Hatter' Pacelli on ABC medical drama Trauma Center, which ran for a single season in 1983.

He's said to have retired from acting in 2000. Alfie's last credit is the show Miami 7, which starred S Club 7, in 1999. He played Howard Borlotti, who owned the hotel in Miami where the fictionalised versions of the bandmates worked.

Tributes have been paid to Alfie following the news of his death. One person wrote on X: "This has been a tough week for my childhood. Alfie Wise was someone who always brought a smile to my face when he appears on screen."

Someone said: "Another childhood actor who made me laugh is gone. Alfie Wise. Just watch the best movies of the late 70s and early 80s. You'll remember him." Another tribute read: "Sorry to hear that our good friend Alfie Wise passed away."

As reported by the Hollywood Reporter, paying tribute to his late pal Burt, Alfie once told the New York Daily News: "He loved his friends, and he really kept us very close. His films were like an ongoing block party. I think the audience caught on to that."

Alfie's comments came shortly after Burt himself died, aged 82, in 2018. The news of his friend's death comes after it was announcedrecently that Burt's ex-wife Loni Anderson had died, aged 79, following a "prolonged" illness. Loni had worked alongside Alfie and Burt on the film Stroker Ace (1983) and she also made an appearance on the show B.L. Stryker.

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