Burt Reynolds turned down these iconic roles including James Bond - and now says he regrets it

There's no question about it: Burt Reynolds secured his living-legend status long ago.

With a career that spans close to 60 years and includes everything from memorable television shows to some of the highest-grossing movies of the '70s and '80s, the actor has too many classics to name.

But now at 80 years old and living comfortably in Jupiter, Florida, Reynolds has had time to reflect on his career and think back on what could have been.

He also talks about some of his regrets, namely in the documentary "The Bandit," which premiered recently at South by Southwest (SXSW) and looks back on the making of one of Reynolds' classics, "Smokey and the Bandit" (it will air on CMT later this year). One sore spot is his infamous 1972 nude spread in Cosmopolitan, which he believes cost him an Oscar nomination that year for his performance in "Deliverance."

Reynolds talked to Business Insider over the phone this week and reflected on some of the roles he was offered and what he now wishes he hadn't rejected.

He did not disappoint. He even told us one offer he's still happy he did turn down!