Burt Reynolds was probably at his peak in the mid-to-late 1970s , especially around the Smokey and the Bandit era, when he became one of the biggest box-office stars in America. Sources describe him as a top draw from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s , with his fame especially strong in the late 1970s.

Why that period stands out

  • 1972 : Deliverance raised his profile as a serious actor.
  • 1977–1978 : Smokey and the Bandit turned him into a mainstream pop-culture icon.
  • Late 1970s : He was widely described as being at the peak of his fame.
  • Early 1980s : He still remained highly visible, but the cultural high point had already passed.

Simple answer

If you mean his most famous, most influential, and most bankable stretch, it was roughly 1977 to 1981 , with the absolute peak landing in the late 1970s.

Context

He had earlier breakout moments, but the combination of movie stardom, charisma, and broad public popularity was strongest in that late-1970s window. That is the era most people associate with his iconic image.