Sally Field: A Hollywood Icon, Her Worst On-Screen Kiss, and an Unforgettable Love Story
Sally Field has long been admired as one of the most talented and versatile actresses of her generation. With a career spanning decades, she has brought to life some of the most memorable characters in film and television. At 76, she remains an industry legend, known for her incredible performances and on-screen romances.
Over the years, Field has shared passionate kisses with many of Hollywood’s leading men. But when asked to reveal her worst on-screen kiss, she hesitated before finally naming the co-star who topped the list.
A Legendary Career
From Steel Magnolias, where she delivered an emotionally gripping performance, to her unforgettable roles in Forrest Gump, Erin Brockovich, The Flying Nun, and Gidget, Sally Field has continuously captivated audiences. Her portrayal of grief, love, and resilience in the Steel Magnolias funeral scene remains one of her most powerful moments on screen.
Born in Pasadena, California, into a working-class show business family, Sally’s early life was far from perfect. In her memoir, she courageously revealed that she endured abuse from her stepfather and secretly underwent an abortion at 17. Despite the hardships, she remained a kind, humble, and determined woman, proving herself time and time again in Hollywood.
Even now, she continues to work. In 2020, she starred in the TV series Dispatches From Elsewhere, and in 2022, she took on the role of Jessie Buss in Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, which explores the lives of the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s. Given her ongoing presence in the entertainment industry, it’s no surprise that she occasionally makes headlines in interviews.
Sally Field’s Worst On-Screen Kiss
During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on December 1, a fan asked Field a bold question: who was her worst on-screen kiss?
At first, the actress hesitated, laughing nervously. “Oh boy… do I really have to say?” she asked.
Cohen, 54, encouraged her to spill the details. “I think you should,” he said with a grin.
Finally, Field gave in. “Alright, this might shock you… hold on to your seats.”
To the surprise of many, she named Burt Reynolds, her former boyfriend and co-star, as the culprit.
Cohen, taken aback, quickly asked, “But weren’t you two dating at the time?”
Field explained that while filming Smokey and the Bandit, she had to “look the other way” when it came to their on-screen chemistry. “It just wasn’t something he really did for me,” she admitted.
Shocked, Cohen responded, “Isn’t that something?”
Field further revealed that Reynolds had a habit of “drooling” while they were filming intimate scenes, making their on-screen kisses far from romantic.
A Love Story That Didn’t Last
Field and Reynolds first met while working on Smokey and the Bandit in 1977. Their connection quickly grew, and they ended up dating for nearly five years.
In his memoir, But Enough About Me, Reynolds later reflected on his relationship with Field, expressing regret and wishing he had done more to keep their romance alive. Sadly, he passed away in 2018 at the age of 82 due to cardiac arrest.
Despite Reynolds’ public longing for what they once had, Field chose to distance herself from him in his later years. In a 2022 interview with Variety, she explained why she had cut ties with him for the last 30 years of his life.
“He was not someone I could be around,” she admitted. “He simply wasn’t the right fit for me. And yet, he convinced himself that I was more important to him than I ever truly was. All he wanted was something he had lost—but I had no desire to be part of that.”
Even though their love story didn’t have a happy ending, Sally Field remains a legendary actress, admired for both her talent and resilience. At 76, she continues to leave her mark on Hollywood, proving that her star power is as strong as ever.