Ariel Winter is "deeply grateful" to have met Burt Reynolds.

Ariel Winter and Burt Reynolds (c) Instagram

Ariel Winter and Burt Reynolds (c) Instagram

The 'Modern Family' actress has paid tribute to the "kind, loving soul" - who she recently worked with on 'The Last Movie Star' - and admitted she will always "love and miss" the 82-year-old screen legend, following his passing on Thursday (06.09.18).

She shared a number of photos of them together on Instagram and wrote: "The world has lost a legend today. Not only on the big screen, but also in life. Burt Reynolds was an incredible man to everybody he encountered, and I'm deeply grateful I got to spend time with him the way I did.

"They do not make them like this anymore -- he was truly the last movie star. Burt was kind, a loving soul that could brighten your day with a smile, and he always cared to make sure that he asked how your day was going or cheer you up with a charming compliment.

"While today's a sad day, Burt lived an incredibly full life and while he is no longer here physically, he's always in our hearts and minds. I will love and miss you always, Burt."

The 20-year-old actress previously admitted she had been "nervous" about working with the 'Deliverance' actor but was delighted to find he was an "amazing man" who was always nice to her.

Speaking before Burt's sad death, she said: "Obviously I was nervous to be working with such a legend like Burt Reynolds. I mean he is really the most amazing man. He is so wonderfully sweet and just an incredibly talented actor, and really the nicest person."