Actor Burt Reynolds is off to rehab to deal with an addiction to prescription pain pills. The Smokey and the Bandit star reportedly became addicted to the pills after a recent back surgery.
According to a press statement released by his manager, 73-year-old Burt Reynolds “checked himself into rehab in order to regain control of his life.” The National Enquirer recently published a photo of the star at a Florida rehab facility, which may have prompted Reynolds to come forward about his addiction.
“After a recent back surgery, Mr. Reynolds felt like he was going through hell and after a while, realized he was a prisoner of prescription pain pills,†his manager said in a statement to Access Hollywood.
“Mr. Reynolds hopes his story will help others in a similar situation,” his rep said. “He hopes they will not try to solve the problem by themselves, but realize that sometimes it is too tough to do on their own and they should seek help, as he did.”
Good advice. Too many Hollywood celebrities are skipping rehab to proceed directly to the morgue lately.