7 Things You Likely Didn’t Know About ‘The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas’

5. Burt Reynolds Wasn’t The First Pick To Play Ed Earl

Reynolds was already one of Hollywood’s leading actors at the time he was cast to play Ed Earl in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Some of his previous projects had been The Longest Yard and the Smokey and the Bandit films, which also starred country singer Jerry Reed.

But despite his popularity, Reynolds was not the original actor that playwright Larry King wanted for the role. Once Parton was cast, King thought it would be a good idea to have another country star appear in the film…Willie Nelson. He apparently met with King about the project, but never committed.

Before Reynolds was cast, country star Kris Kristofferson and actor Gene Hackman were both considered for the role.