Actor Alfie Wise, best known for his frequent collaborations with Burt Reynolds in action-comedy films including “The Cannonball Run” and “Smokey and the Bandit,” died July 22 at age 82. Wise died of natural causes at Thomas H. Corey VA Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, according to his longtime fiancée Stephanie Bliss.
The Pennsylvania native appeared in 10 films alongside Reynolds over their decades-long friendship, starting with “The Longest Yard” in 1974 where he played a state trooper. Their collaboration continued through major hits including “Smokey and the Bandit” (1977), where Wise portrayed a police officer, and “The Cannonball Run” (1981), in which he played tow-truck driver “Batman.”
Beyond his film work, Wise served as Reynolds’ personal assistant and became a fixture in the actor’s professional circle. After Reynolds’ death in 2018, Wise reflected on their friendship, noting that Reynolds loved his friends and kept them very close. He described Reynolds’ films as resembling an ongoing block party, expressing that audiences always knew they would have a great time with a Burt Reynolds movie.
Born Ralph Louis Wise on November 17, 1942, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, he served as class president for three years at Altoona Area High School before graduating in 1960. He continued his leadership role at Penn State University, serving as class president for four years before graduating in 1964.
After college, Wise joined the U.S. Navy, where he produced and hosted shows on his ship. Following his military service in the mid-1960s, he moved to Los Angeles and worked as an NBC page. His acting debut came in 1972 with the ABC television movie “Call Her Mom,” starring Connie Stevens.
Wise’s early television work included portraying Mr. Rabbit Ears, Charles Nelson Reilly’s sidekick, on the children’s show “Uncle Croc’s Block” beginning in 1975. He later appeared alongside Lou Ferrigno as part of a paramedic team in the 1983 ABC series “Trauma Center,” which starred James Naughton, Wendie Malick and Dorian Harewood.
His extensive filmography with Reynolds included “The End” (1978), “Hooper” (1978), “Starting Over” (1979), “Paternity” (1981), “Stroker Ace” (1983), “City Heat” (1984) and “Heat” (1986). The two also collaborated on television, with Wise appearing in all 12 episodes of the 1989-90 ABC crime series “B.L Stryker” as marina owner Oliver Wardell, and making a guest appearance on Reynolds’ CBS sitcom “Evening Shade” in 1991.
Independent of his Reynolds collaborations, Wise appeared in various films and television shows throughout his career. His film credits included “Midway” (1976), “Swashbuckler” (1976), “Hot Stuff” (1979), “Rad” (1986) and “Catherine’s Grove” (1997). Television appearances encompassed “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman,” “The Fall Guy” with Lee Majors, “The Jeffersons” and “S Club 7 in Miami.”
In “Hooper,” one of his more prominent roles, the 5-foot-5 Wise played the cowardly assistant to director Robert Klein’s character in the action film “The Spy Who Laughed at Danger.” He also made appearances as a panelist on the game show “Match Game” and had guest spots on various other television programs.
Wise retired from acting in 2000, with his final credit being 15 episodes of the CBBC show “S Club 7 in Miami.” After leaving the entertainment industry, he began a second career as a real estate agent in Jupiter, Florida, working for Donohue Real Estate in Palm Beach County.
According to KIRO 7 News, Bliss indicated that Wise had developed a bacterial infection several months before his death and had been hospitalized. Though initially discharged, he returned to the hospital in a weakened state and remained there for approximately one month before his death. Doctors characterized it as a common infection, with his age contributing to the outcome.
Donohue Real Estate posted a tribute to Wise on their Facebook page following news of his death. The company noted that whenever there was a company gathering, Wise was always present, smiling and engaging with everyone. They remembered him as both a successful realtor and an accomplished actor, particularly highlighting his work with Reynolds in “Smokey and the Bandit” and his regular appearances in television shows including “B.L Stryker,” “Trauma Center” and “S Club 7 in Miami.”
Lori Wyman, casting director for “B.L Stryker” and “S Club 7,” paid tribute to Wise on Instagram, describing him as a funny and talented individual. Wise expressed his appreciation for working with Reynolds in a late-1970s interview with the Altoona Mirror, stating: “Burt is one of the true gentlemen in the business.”
