GOSSIP & RUMORS: Actor Alfie Wise — longtime costar of Burt Reynolds — dead at 82

Alfie Wise, known for his role as the tow-truck driver named “Batman” in “The Cannonball Run” and Burt Reynolds‘ longtime costar, died at the age of 82 on July 22.

Wise, who retired from acting in 2000, died of natural causes at Palm Beach, Florida’s Thomas H. Corey Veteran Affairs Medical Center, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Wise was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania and made his acting debut in ABC’s 1972 TV movie, “Call Her Mom.”

Early in his acting career, Wise starred alongside Charles Nelson Reilly in the 1975 children’s show “Uncle Croc’s Block,” portraying Mr. Rabbit Ears.

Wise also teamed up with Lou Ferrigno as a paramedic duo in the 1983 ABC series “Trauma Center,” starring James Naughton, Wendie Malick, and Dorian Harewood.

Wise’s collaboration with late Burt Reynolds (who died in 2018) helped create 10 action-packed movies, including 1977’s “Smokey and the Bandit” and 1981’s “The Cannonball Run.”

They also did the 1989 TV drama “B.L. Stryker.”

Wise’s career spans over 20 years, including the films “Midway” (1976), “Swashbuckler “(1976), “Hot Stuff” (1979), and “Rad” (1986).

The late actor’s latest credit was “S Club 7 in Miami,” a CBBC sitcom in 1999 following the English pop group, S Club 7.

“Sad to have heard my Pal Alfie Wise passed away,” wrote “S Club 7” casting director Lori Wyman in an Instagram tribute. “Funny, talented guy!”

After retiring from the entertainment industry, Wise became a real estate agent in Florida.

“We are deeply saddened to share that our agent, Alfie Wise, has passed away,” wrote Donohue Real Estate in a July 30 Facebook post. “Whenever there was a company get-together, Alfie was always there, smiling and chatting with everyone… We will greatly miss Alfie’s sense of humor, positive attitude, and charming personality.”