<P> Universal Studios bankrolled Smokey and the Bandit for $5.3 million, figuring it was a good risk . Just two days before production was to begin, Universal sent a "hatchet man" to Atlanta to inform Needham that the budget was being trimmed by $1 million . With Reynolds' salary at $1 million, Needham was left with only $3.3 million to make the film . Needham and assistant director David Hamburger spent 30 hours revising the shooting schedule . </P> <P> "Buford T. Justice" was the name of a real Florida Highway Patrolman known to Reynolds' father, who himself was once Police Chief of Riviera Beach, Florida . His father was also the inspiration for the word "sumbitch" used in the film, a variation of the phrase "son - of - a-bitch" that according to Reynolds he uttered quite often . </P> <P> Jackie Gleason was given free rein to ad - lib dialogue and make suggestions . It was his idea to have Junior alongside him throughout . In particular the scene where Sheriff Justice unknowingly encounters the Bandit in the "choke and puke" (a roadside diner) wasn't in the original story, but rather was Gleason's idea . </P> <P> Before Gleason was cast in the film, Richard Boone was originally considered for the role of Buford T. Justice . </P>

Who played the motorcycle cop in smokey and the bandit