Burt Reynolds finally reveals he was born in Lansing

LANSING — Move over, Magic Johnson. Lansing can now officially claim another world-famous native son.

Actor Burt Reynolds discloses in his new book "But Enough About Me." that he was born in Michigan's Capital City. He ends any speculation in his 293-page memoir, released Tuesday, that has a hardcover retail price of $27.95.

"If there's any confusion about my birthplace, it's my fault," Reynolds admits. "I was born in Lansing, Michigan. We moved to Florida when I was five. I grew up a Southern boy who didn't want to be a Yankee."

For years, Reynolds' fans debated online whether he was born in Lansing or Waycross, Ga. They even changed his biographical Wikipedia page. The page, as of Wednesday night, was accurate as it said Reynolds was born Feb. 11, 1936, in Lansing.

Reynolds offers a brief explanation about why his Northern roots were questioned. "Why Waycross, Georgia?" Reynolds wrote. "I liked the sound of it."

Despite the clarification about his Lansing birthplace, which appears on page 210, the first sentence of the first page of Reynold's new book states that he "grew up" in Palm Beach County, Fla.

Lansing historian David Votta said news in Reynolds' book makes him smile because he researched the star's origin in 2011. Votta studied birth and property records that showed Reynolds was born to Burton Milo and Fern (Miller) Reynolds in Lansing in 1936. Reynolds lived with his parents in a two-bedroom house on Donora Street until 1943, the year it was sold.

"It is nice anytime Lansing gets the recognition it deserves," Votta said of Reynolds' birthplace clarification.

Votta said he found records "quickly" at the Capital Area District Library's downtown branch that confirmed Reynolds' Lansing birthplace. He always felt confident about the data, despite efforts from Reynolds fans to discredit it and stick with the Georgia origin.

Reynolds' first autobiography entitled "My Life," published in 1994, mentions Lansing, but doesn't clarify that it was his birthplace.

Why the change of heart to acknowledge Lansing? Votta said it could be simply a matter of maturity. Reynolds might have stuck with the Georgia story years ago so he could claim southern roots and gain more credibility while he played roles in films like "Deliverance" and "Smokey and the Bandit."

"I don't know," Votta said. "Maybe he was trying to gin up more (movie) ticket sales. He's a grown man making his own decisions. If he wanted to say he's from Mars, then he can say he's from Mars."

Eric Lacy is a reporter for the Lansing State Journal. Contact him at 517-377-1206 or elacy@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter@EricLacy.