I’ve always had deep respect for Sally Field—a truly iconic and immensely talented actress. At 76, she’s enjoyed a remarkable career, with unforgettable performances in classics like Steel Magnolias, Gidget, Forrest Gump, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Smokey and the Bandit.

Her journey hasn’t been easy. Field endured a difficult childhood, including abuse by her stepfather and a secret abortion at 17. Yet she persevered and rose to become one of Hollywood’s most admired and enduring talents. She continues to work today, with recent roles 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, Field made headlines when she named Burt Reynolds—her former co-star and longtime boyfriend—as her worst on-screen kisser, describing the experience as “a lot of drooling” and saying kissing just “wasn’t something he really did well.” Despite their five-year relationship, she shared that they hadn’t spoken in the last 30 years of his life, explaining, “He was just not good for me in any way.”

Sally Field’s honesty, strength, and extraordinary body of work have only deepened my admiration for her over the years.