Remembering Alfie Wise: The Beloved Sidekick and Friend of Burt Reynolds 🕊️
Alfie Wise—born Ralph Louis Wise Jr. on November 17, 1942, in Altoona, Pennsylvania—has passed away at the age of 82. He died of natural causes on July 22, 2025, at the Thomas H. Corey Veteran Affairs Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, as confirmed by his fiancée, Stephanie Bliss
Wise’s journey to Hollywood began after a stint in the U.S. Navy and earning his degree from Penn State University. His acting debut came in 1972 with the ABC TV movie Call Her Mom, and he went on to appear in shows like The Sandy Duncan Show and the children’s series Uncle Croc’s Block as Mr. Rabbit Ears
Over the next two decades, Wise became a recognizable and beloved part of Burt Reynolds’ ensemble, appearing in ten films together. His collaborations included classics like The Longest Yard (1974), Smokey and the Bandit (1977), The Cannonball Run (1981)—in which he famously played the tow-truck driver nicknamed “Batman”—as well as Hooper, Starting Over, Paternity, Stroker Ace, City Heat, and Heat
Following his retirement from show business around 2000, Wise transitioned to a second career as a real estate agent in Palm Beach, Florida, where he worked for Donohue Real Estate. Colleagues described him as a friendly, positive force at company events, always with a smile and a story to share
Throughout his life, Alfie maintained a close personal and professional bond with Burt Reynolds. “His films were like an ongoing block party,” Wise once said about Reynolds. “You always knew you were going to have a great time with a Burt Reynolds movie”
He is survived by his fiancée, Stephanie Bliss, family, and countless friends and fans. As news of his passing spreads, tributes have poured in celebrating not just his many memorable roles, but the kindhearted person behind them.