Sally Field has long been celebrated as one of Hollywood’s most talented and beloved actresses, a woman whose warmth, wit, and authenticity have made her unforgettable on screen. At 76, she continues to captivate audiences, her career spanning decades of powerful performances that have left an enduring legacy in film and television.
Throughout her storied career, Field has shared countless on-screen romances, which naturally meant plenty of on-screen kisses. But in a recent appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, she shocked fans by revealing which one stood out as her worst. At first hesitant to “name names,” she laughed before finally admitting the surprising answer: it was with her former boyfriend, the late Burt Reynolds.
The revelation came as a surprise to many, especially since Field and Reynolds famously dated for about five years after meeting on the set of Smokey and the Bandit in 1977. When Cohen asked if they were together at the time, Field explained that the awkward moment happened during filming — adding with humor that it “just wasn’t something he really did for me.”
She even revealed that there was “a lot of drooling” involved, a detail that made the audience laugh but also highlighted her trademark honesty and down-to-earth personality. Field has never shied away from sharing her truth — even when it’s uncomfortable or surprising.
Behind her radiant smile and sharp humor, Sally Field’s journey has not been without hardship. Born in Pasadena, California, to a working-class showbiz family, her early life was marked by pain. In her memoirs, she revealed the trauma of an abusive stepfather and a secret abortion at seventeen. Yet, despite everything, she grew into a resilient, compassionate woman who channeled her struggles into her craft.
Her filmography speaks volumes: Steel Magnolias, Forrest Gump, Mrs. Doubtfire, Norma Rae, and Erin Brockovich — just to name a few. Each performance carried emotional truth, earning her two Academy Awards and countless other accolades. Few actresses have shown such depth and range, seamlessly transitioning from comedic charm to gut-wrenching drama.
Even now, Field remains as active and vibrant as ever. She appeared as Janice in Dispatches From Elsewhere (2020) and portrayed Jessie Buss in HBO’s Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (2022). Her presence continues to command respect — a reminder that true artistry knows no age.
Her former partner, Burt Reynolds, spoke fondly of her in his memoir But Enough About Me, expressing regret over their breakup and wishing he had fought harder for their love. Yet, Field later revealed to Variety that she hadn’t spoken to him for the last three decades of his life, saying, “He was not someone I could be around… He just wasn’t good for me.”
That honesty — both raw and dignified — defines Sally Field. She refuses to romanticize the past or hide behind Hollywood perfection. Instead, she embraces truth, even when it’s imperfect or painful. That’s precisely what makes her so deeply admired.
Through her vulnerability, humor, and enduring strength, Sally Field remains more than a screen legend — she’s an emblem of authenticity in an industry that often demands the opposite. Her life and work remind us that grace doesn’t come from perfection, but from the courage to tell your story, exactly as it is.