I’ve always admired Sally Field — a true icon and incredibly talented actress. Now 76, she’s enjoyed a remarkable and enduring career, with standout roles in classics like *Steel Magnolias*, *Gidget*, *Forrest Gump*, *Mrs. Doubtfire*, and *Smokey and the Bandit*.
Her journey hasn’t been easy. She overcame a difficult childhood marked by abuse from her stepfather and a secret abortion at age 17, yet she rose to become one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed performers. She’s still active in the industry, with recent appearances in *Dispatches from Elsewhere* and *Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty*.
In a 2022 episode of *Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen*, Sally candidly shared that her worst on-screen kiss was with Burt Reynolds, her former co-star and boyfriend from *Smokey and the Bandit*. Despite their five-year relationship, she recalled their kissing scenes involved “a lot of drooling” and said it “wasn’t something he did well.”
Although Reynolds later voiced regret over how things ended between them, Sally revealed they hadn’t spoken in the last 30 years of his life, adding, “He just wasn’t good for me in any way.”
My admiration for Sally Field has only grown with time — her resilience and powerful performances have truly left a lasting mark.