In 1972, Burt Reynolds posed for what would become one of the most iconic and controversial centerfolds in modern history. For many, the image of Reynolds—naked but strategically covered—marked a cultural moment that redefined how masculinity and sexuality were portrayed in popular media. While it was playful and provocative, it was also a bold challenge to traditional notions of gender, fame, and what it meant to be a sex symbol.
This article explores the story behind Burt Reynolds’ infamous centerfold in Cosmopolitan magazine, examining the cultural impact it had at the time, how it reshaped Reynolds’ career, and its lasting legacy in pop culture. Through this analysis, we’ll uncover why this single photograph became more than just a centerfold but a groundbreaking moment in celebrity culture, masculinity, and media representation.
The Birth of an Iconic Centerfold
In the early 1970s, Burt Reynolds was on the verge of becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. He had been working steadily in film and television, but it wasn’t until his role in the 1972 thriller Deliverance that Reynolds truly captured the attention of mainstream audiences. As his popularity grew, Reynolds was increasingly seen as a symbol of rugged masculinity—a man who exuded charm, confidence, and an unapologetic attitude.
At the same time, Cosmopolitan magazine, led by editor-in-chief Helen Gurley Brown, was at the forefront of sexual revolution media. Under Brown’s leadership, Cosmopolitan had embraced a bold and modern approach to women’s sexuality, aiming to empower its readers by addressing topics that had long been considered taboo. In a society still grappling with the aftermath of the sexual revolution of the 1960s, Cosmo was eager to push boundaries and challenge societal norms.
It was within this cultural context that Brown approached Reynolds with an unusual proposition: to become the first man to pose for a nude centerfold in Cosmopolitan. The idea was both revolutionary and risky. The magazine, known for featuring beautiful women on its covers and in its pages, had never before placed a man in such a vulnerable, sexually suggestive position. Yet the concept aligned with Brown’s mission of flipping the script on gender roles and creating space for women to objectify men in the same way that men had objectified women for decades.
After some initial reluctance, Reynolds agreed to the shoot, albeit with his own twist. He insisted that the image be playful rather than explicit, reflecting his sense of humor and self-confidence. The result was a photograph that showed Reynolds lying on a bearskin rug, naked but with one arm covering his genitals. His smile was mischievous, his pose relaxed, and his famously hairy chest was on full display. The image walked the line between sexy and comedic, teasing audiences without being overtly sexual.
When the issue hit stands in April 1972, it sparked immediate controversy and fascination.
Redefining Masculinity and Sexuality
Reynolds’ centerfold was a groundbreaking moment for male sexuality in popular culture. Up until that point, men had traditionally been portrayed as the dominant, powerful figures in sexual imagery, often the ones doing the gazing rather than being gazed upon. Women were typically the ones objectified and displayed in sexually suggestive or nude poses, while men’s sexual appeal was implied through strength, power, or charisma rather than physical exposure.
By posing for Cosmopolitan’s centerfold, Reynolds flipped the script. He allowed himself to be objectified in a way that had been reserved almost exclusively for women in the media. The image was humorous, but it also invited women to look at a man’s body in the same way men had been conditioned to view women’s bodies. In doing so, Reynolds challenged traditional notions of masculinity, which had long dictated that men should be sexually aggressive and stoic, not playful or vulnerable.
The photo also broke with the idealized version of masculinity that dominated Hollywood at the time. Reynolds was famously hairy in an era when many leading men in film were presented as smooth and chiseled. His natural, rugged look stood in contrast to the clean-shaven, hyper-groomed image of masculinity that was often glorified in media. Reynolds’ decision to embrace his body as it was—rather than conform to the sanitized, polished image of male beauty—resonated with audiences and made him a relatable and authentic sex symbol.
However, while Reynolds was comfortable playing with his public image, his centerfold also exposed him to the kinds of scrutiny that had long been directed at women. Some critics accused him of cheapening his image, arguing that the centerfold diminished his credibility as a serious actor. Others questioned whether his decision to pose nude undermined his masculinity, as he was now the subject of objectification rather than the agent of it.
Yet despite these criticisms, the image became a symbol of the changing times. In an era when the feminist movement was gaining momentum and conversations about gender roles were shifting, Reynolds’ centerfold served as a cultural statement about the evolving nature of sexuality and power dynamics between men and women.
Helen Gurley Brown and the Empowerment of Women
The idea of Burt Reynolds’ centerfold was as much a product of Cosmopolitan editor Helen Gurley Brown’s vision as it was a reflection of Reynolds’ own willingness to play with his image. Brown, a trailblazer in the world of women’s media, had long been advocating for the empowerment of women through sexual liberation. Her 1962 book Sex and the Single Girl was a manifesto for women’s independence and sexual freedom, and she brought that same ethos to Cosmopolitan when she took over as editor in 1965.
Under Brown’s leadership, Cosmo became a magazine that encouraged women to embrace their desires, take control of their own pleasure, and challenge the traditional roles society had assigned to them. The magazine’s content often pushed the envelope with articles on sex, relationships, and the modern woman’s pursuit of happiness—topics that were groundbreaking for the time.
Brown’s decision to feature a nude male centerfold in Cosmopolitan was an extension of her mission to flip gender expectations and give women the same opportunities for visual pleasure that men had long enjoyed. In many ways, the image of Burt Reynolds was a symbol of female empowerment, giving women permission to enjoy men’s bodies in a way that had been largely reserved for the male gaze.
Brown later reflected on the decision to feature Reynolds, calling it “a joke that worked.” For her, the centerfold was never about exploiting Reynolds but about challenging cultural norms and creating a space where women could be active participants in their own sexual fantasies. The centerfold became an important part of Cosmopolitan’s identity, solidifying its reputation as a magazine that wasn’t afraid to push boundaries and embrace the sexual liberation of its readers.
The Cultural Impact of the Centerfold
Burt Reynolds’ centerfold in Cosmopolitan had a lasting impact on both his career and the broader cultural landscape. While some critics initially questioned the wisdom of his decision to pose nude, the photograph ultimately helped solidify Reynolds as a major star. It catapulted him into the public eye in a way that few actors had experienced before, making him a household name and an enduring sex symbol for years to come.
The centerfold also played a significant role in shaping how male celebrities were viewed and marketed. In the years that followed, more male actors, athletes, and public figures began to embrace their status as sex symbols, posing for similar shoots or embracing their physical appeal in ways that were more traditionally associated with female celebrities. The line between objectifier and objectified was blurred, and male sexuality became a more accepted and celebrated part of popular culture.
Beyond its impact on Reynolds’ career, the centerfold also had broader implications for gender dynamics in media. It marked a moment of cultural shift, where the conversation about who could be objectified—and how—began to change. The photograph invited audiences to rethink traditional gender roles and opened up new possibilities for how men and women could be portrayed in media. It was a playful challenge to societal norms, one that hinted at the broader changes to come in the representation of men and women in Hollywood.
For Cosmopolitan, the success of the Reynolds centerfold paved the way for future experiments in how the magazine approached sexuality and gender. The magazine continued to feature provocative and boundary-pushing content, further cementing its place as a leading voice in women’s media.
Reynolds’ Regrets and Reflections
Despite the success and cultural significance of the centerfold, Burt Reynolds himself had mixed feelings about the image in later years. In interviews, he often expressed regret over his decision to pose nude, feeling that it overshadowed his acting work and contributed to a perception of him as a lightweight or a sex object rather than a serious performer.
Reynolds’ reflections on the centerfold speak to the complicated relationship between celebrity, sexuality, and public image. While the photograph helped boost his fame and establish him as a cultural icon, it also came with its own set of challenges. As with many public figures who become sex symbols, Reynolds found that being objectified could be a double-edged sword, opening doors to new opportunities while also limiting how he was perceived by audiences and critics alike.
Despite his regrets, the centerfold remains an indelible part of Reynolds’ legacy, a testament to his willingness to take risks and play with his public persona. It also stands as a cultural artifact of the early 1970s, a time when society was grappling with shifting gender roles, sexual liberation, and the changing nature of celebrity.
