Sally Field, the celebrated 76-year-old actress, has shared countless memorable on-screen moments throughout her illustrious career. Known for her roles in Gidget, The Flying Nun, Steel Magnolias, Forrest Gump, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Erin Brockovich, Field is admired for her depth and versatility. Her powerful performances, particularly in films like Steel Magnolias, where she portrayed a mother grappling with loss, have resonated with audiences for decades.
Field was born into a working-class family in Pasadena, California, and overcame a difficult childhood. In her memoirs, she revealed painful details, including an abusive stepfather and a secret abortion at 17. Despite these challenges, she emerged as a talented, compassionate actress who has become one of Hollywood’s most beloved figures. She continues to work actively, with recent roles in Dispatches From Elsewhere and Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty in 2022.
In a candid appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen in December 2022, Field surprised fans by revealing her “worst” on-screen kiss. When asked about it, Field hesitated but eventually admitted, “Okay, this is going to be a shocker.” She then named her former boyfriend, Burt Reynolds, as the culprit, a revelation that surprised Cohen and the audience.
Field explained that during the filming of Smokey and the Bandit, she found kissing Reynolds less than appealing, saying there was “a lot of drooling” and that the experience wasn’t what she hoped for. Reynolds, whom she dated for about five years, had reportedly reflected on their relationship with regret in his memoir But Enough About Me, admitting he wished he had made more effort.
Despite their past, Field shared with Variety in March that she had no contact with Reynolds for the last 30 years of his life. She explained, “He was not someone I could be around. He was just not good for me.” She felt that Reynolds had created an idealized version of their relationship that didn’t match reality, which ultimately led her to distance herself from him.
Though Field’s memories of Reynolds were bittersweet, her legacy of resilience and dedication to her craft continues to inspire fans and new generations of actors.