Burt Reynolds: Our Of Rehab But Not With A Fonder Heart
Posted by Richard on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 in Celebrities • Burt Reynolds • Projects • (0) Comments • Permalink
Burt Reynolds had checked himself into rehab last week after the actor had found himself in a “prison of prescription pain pills.” The 73 year old had been prescribed painkillers for a recent back surgery. Realizing that he needed help getting off the prescription drug, Reynolds took it upon himself to seek help and regain control of his life.
Erik Kritzer, Burt Reynolds manager said, “Reynolds sought to publicize his recent stint in rehab to help others struggling with similar problems.”
The legendary actor is now out of rehab and has a bone to pick with Jim Fitzpatrick. Burt Reynolds told the St. Petersburg Times that the creator of A Fonder Heart is, “everything that is wrong with the motion picture industry.”
In a text message, relayed by manager Kritzer, Reynolds expresses his anger at Fitzpatrick for comments suggesting that his recent drug rehabilitation stint delayed production of "A Fonder Heart." He also rejects the claims that Fitzpatrick had known about his decision to go to rehab and that they had met up just 2 weeks ago.
"I have not personally spoken with, nor have I seen Jimmy Fitzpatrick for months," Reynolds texted. "He is not a close friend or confident and knew nothing about my decision to enter rehab, nor did he know about my back surgery. It really hurts me that there are people out there who would take advantage of me while I'm dealing with personal challenges.”
Jimmy Fitzpatrick had previously told the Times back in August that he was having problems securing the financing and this was causing a delay in production. However, when contacted yesterday, September 21st, Fitzpatrick said that production had been postponed due to Reynolds hospitalization.
"That's a lie," Kritzer said in a telephone interview. "That makes Burt look like he's holding up a film. There is no film production. Jim's trying to get a movie financed but he doesn't have a film."
Reynolds has never signed a contract for this project and his attachment to the film was never finalized, according to Kritzer. Fitzpatrick was using Burt Reynolds name to drum up publicity and attract investors and cast members alike.
It might be that now Reynolds has withdrawn from the project, the cast members and investors that were interested due to Reynolds name will no longer be interested. I’m sure when they read statements like the one below they will be put off at least a little bit:
"Jimmy Fitzpatrick is not your local hero, there are plenty of other people in the Tampa Bay area that deserve it but not him," Reynolds texted. "He has falsely painted me as the villain who held up a film and let down countless adults and children.
"Jimmy Fitzpatrick is everything that is wrong with the motion picture industry. I will never work for, or with him."