Burt Reynolds addresses strange comments he made about Sally Field and Hoda Kotb

Burt Reynolds has tried to clarify the comments he made during a strange interview with the Today show last week.

The 82-year-old actor told USA Today that he wasn't entirely sure what he said during the interview, which was to promote his latest film The Last Movie Star.

While he was on the show, he praised host Hoda Kotb for not getting lip fillers and said he fell in love with actress Sally Field when she was 7 years old.

On the topic of the love of his life, Reynolds told Kotb, "Well, she was seven when I fell in love with her. She stayed seven for about 11 years. I would say Sally."

Reynolds first met Field when he persuaded her to make Smokey and the Bandit in 1977.

The pair dated for five years and had a tumultuous breakup in the early 1980s.

On Thursday, he discussed his comments saying, "It didn’t come out like that. I don’t know what the hell I said," Reynolds explained. "But I get so [hacked] off at people being [hacked] off at me for hurting Kotb."

Reynolds claimed he didn't say he fell in love with Field when she was 7.

“I didn’t say 7. I said 37, I think,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds also addressed his remarks about Kotb, explaining he sent a note apologising for what he said during the interview.

He said, "I never, ever meant to hurt her. I think she’s the best at doing what she does. And that laugh is to die for."

Reynold's new film The Last Movie Star is due March 30.