Burt Reynolds makes rare public appearance at first Comic Con event

Hollywood movie legend Burt Reynolds delighted comic book fans in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Saturday (09May15) by making his first-ever appearance at a Comic Con event.

The Boogie Nights star, who used a cane to help him walk, was invited to take part in a question and answer session with attendees at the city's Wizard World Comic Con and prior to the appearance, the 79 year old admitted he was looking forward to the rare fan session.

He told the Philadelphia Inquirer, "I think it's a good time to find out what it's all about. I always enjoy talking to fans and I'm usually very pleased with their curiosity about my career, what I'm doing, what I'm not doing, and why I'm not doing more."

At the event, Reynolds discussed aspects of his lengthy career, laughed off rumors of a rivalry with late actor Marlon Brando, and sparked applause when he admitted his favorite movie from his own filmography was 1972 thriller Deliverance.

Reynolds has made few public appearances in recent years after battling a series of health issues - he entered rehab in 2009 to overcome an addiction to painkillers and then underwent a quintuple heart bypass in 2010.

He was also hospitalized in 2013 after battling a severe bout of influenza.