Sally Field recalls ‘frightening’ moments with Burt Reynolds

Sally Field has spoken candidly about her past relationship with the late Burt Reynolds, alleging that the Hollywood star attempted to control her during their five-year romance in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The Smokey and the Bandit co-stars met on set in 1977 and went on to share a turbulent relationship that Field now describes as emotionally difficult and formative in shaping her independence.

Speaking in an interview with People, the 79-year-old actress recalled a turning point in their relationship during the making of Norma Rae (1979), a role Reynolds allegedly tried to discourage her from taking.

She said Reynolds reacted strongly to the script, objecting to her character’s background and attempting to persuade her to reject the role, which she ultimately accepted against his wishes.

“It was the beginning of me pulling away when he didn’t want me to do Norma Rae… He threw the script at me,” Field said, adding that she chose to move forward with the film despite the tension.

Field said the experience marked the beginning of her asserting herself professionally, ultimately leading to a breakthrough role that earned her critical acclaim and an Academy Award.

She also recalled Reynolds discouraging her from attending the film’s premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, an event that became a defining moment in her career when the audience responded with a prolonged standing ovation.

Field went on to win the Oscar for Best Actress, though she noted that Reynolds did not accompany her to the ceremony, further straining their relationship before their eventual split in 1982.

Reflecting on that period, Field said her role in Norma Rae helped her find strength both on and off screen.

“I could feel my own legs… I started to grow up,” she said, describing how the character mirrored her own personal transformation.

The actress added that while there were moments of affection in the relationship, it was also marked by emotional complexity and control issues that ultimately led her to leave.

Field and Reynolds co-starred in several films together, including Smokey and the Bandit, Hooper, and The End, though she now says the dynamic often left her feeling “stuck.”

Reynolds, who died in 2018 at the age of 82, has previously been described by Field as having both deeply charming and difficult sides, with their relationship continuing to draw public attention decades later.