Recently released from rehab, Hollywood legend Burt Reynolds begged his former live-in girlfriend to renew their romance – but he got the brush-off.
Now his friends fear the rejection could drive him back to booze and drugs.
After a stint in rehab, the 73-year-old actor reached out to longtime live-in lover Pam Seals, but she refused to return his calls, The ENQUIRER has learned exclusively.
"Even though Burt is sober now, Pam can’t face going back to his mood swings and violent temper," a friend told The ENQUIRER.
"Burt isn’t good at taking rejection, and we’re holding our breath hoping it won’t push him over the edge."
As The ENQUIRER was the first to reveal in a world exclusive story, the Smokey and the Bandit star’s houseman found him semiconscious and covered in blood from a fall at his mansion in Hobe Sound, Fla.
The employee rushed him to a nearby emergency room, but the Emmy-winning actor’s behavior was so bizarre that he was admitted to a nearby mental health facility. Doctors there diagnosed his addiction to painkillers and alcohol, and released him after he agreed to go into rehab.
Reynolds entered a 30-day program at the Hanley Center in West Palm Beach, but was discharged early after hiring round-the-clock nursing care to supervise him at home, say sources.
"But having nurses around all the time drove Burt nuts, and he soon fired them," said the friend. "Then, in a fit of anger, he fired his houseman."
That’s when the Evening Shade star began reaching out to Pam, 53. They began dating right after he abruptly dumped wife Loni Anderson in 1993.
Five years ago he and Pam sued each other amid allegations that he beat and strangled her. In 2005, they reached a confidential "palimony" settlement.
Pam, a former cocktail waitress, is now a successful real estate agent in Florida. She reconciled with Reynolds after their legal problems and was dating him as recently as a few months ago, said another source.
"I don’t think Burt ever stopped loving Pam," divulged the source.
The friend added: "Burt made calls to Pam and asked friends to speak to her for him. She always took such good care of him, and he wanted her back.
"But Pam ignored his messages. She has all the compassion in the world, but she told friends that the memories of Burt’s violent temper and prescription drug abuse were too fresh. She said, ‘That door is closed.’"
While Reynolds’ rep Jeffrey Lane refused to comment on the actor’s personal life, the friend said: "It won’t be easy for Burt to take Pam’s rejection. We’re just praying he can stay on track."
