Burt Reynolds INstitute
Starting with the purchase of the 160-acre Burt Reynolds Ranch over thirty years ago Mr. Reynolds has given a huge amount of time and energy to develop educational and entertainment venues in our community. To this end he created The Burt Reynolds Institute where post-graduate courses in theater were taught by Mr. Reynolds, Charles Nelson Reilly and other hollywood celebrities.
The Burt Reynolds Dinner Theater and The Backstage Restaurant featured international entertainers who, at Mr. Reynolds' invitation, performed for our community. The Burt Reynolds Dinner Theater was one of the most renowned cultural centers in South Florida, and more celebrities performed on its stage than any other art venue in Palm Beach County at that time. The dinner theater was but one of the many contributions Mr. Reynolds made to our Town, County and State. His film, television, education and sport contributions had a profound impact on our history.
The Burt Reynolds Museum Inc., a non-profit corporation, was formed on February 26, 1999 and declared a 501c3 non-profit corporation by the IRS on March 1, 2000. On May 4, 1999 Jupiter's Mayor and members of the Jupiter Town Council passed resolution 57-99 supporting the creation of the museum and on November 6, 2001 the Council voted unanimously to provide the ground floor of the old First Union Bank building on US1 and Indiantown Road as a temporary location for the museum. After a year of work by volunteers, craftsmen, and $300,000 in contributions, the museum opened February 9th, 2003 with 2,500 people attending the opening. Burt Reynolds & Friends Museum is the largest celebrity museum in Florida. Its glistening chandeliers, mirrored cases and theatrical lighting create a magical atmosphere.
The Burt Reynolds Institute is a not-for-profit organization. Our many programs include classes in acting and film-making as well as lectures by experts in the film industry and even celebrities. For more information or to be added to our mailing list, please call 561-746-9955, or send an email.
Actor, Director, Emcee of the Oscars, Talk Show host and Super Star, Burt Reynolds is one of America's most famous celebrities. Friend to world leaders and Hollywood legends he has been romantically involved with some of the most beautiful and respected women of our time. The first star to be paid one million dollars per movie, he has been recognized for playing both drama and comedy. His lifetime collection of awards and personal gifts from his friends was on display at the Burt Reynolds and Friends Museum in Jupiter, Florida. The collection included the #1 Box Office Star Award for five consecutive years (a record unmatched in Hollywood), an Emmy Award, 9 Peoples Choice Awards, (five for favorite motion picture actor, three for all around male entertainer), New York Film Critics Award, John Housman Award, and many others. Some of his philanthropic work has won him the Voice for Children award, the Tuss McLaughry Award, Eastman Kodak Second Century Award, and the Herbert Humphries Award. Locally, he has been inducted into the Florida Artist Hall of Fame, and received the Providencia Award, Palm Beach County's top award. He was the Master of Ceremonies for the grand opening of the Kravis Center, and a thirty-acre county park is named in his honor. Other items included at the museum are high school, football, and acting trophies as well as a multitude of National, State and City proclamations, awards, citations and gold keys that fill the walls, attesting to the magnitude of the popularity Mr. Reynolds has held for half a century.