Sally Field’s Journey: From Stardom to Feeling “Invisible” After Plastic Surgery
Academy, Emmy, and Golden Globe Award-winning actress Sally Field is beloved for her roles in movies such as “Forrest Gump,” “Brothers and Sisters,” “Lincoln,” and “Steel Magnolias.” Born in Pasadena, California, on November 6, 1946, Sally began her storied career in the titular role of “Gidget” in 1965. Since then, she has appeared in various TV shows, movies, and Broadway productions, captivating audiences along the way.
The Early Years
Sally’s journey began in Pasadena, California. Her father, Richard Dryden Field, was a salesman, and her mother was actress Margaret Field (née Morlan). After her parents’ divorce, her mother married actor and stuntman Jock Mahoney, expanding Sally’s family to include her brother Richard Field and half-sister Princess O’Mahoney.
Her first role as Frances Elizabeth ‘Gidget’ Lawrence in “Gidget” ended quickly after one season due to low ratings. However, this setback didn’t stop Sally. She starred in “The Flying Nun,” which ran for three seasons. Despite the show’s success, Sally struggled with depression during this time.
“I just put my head down and did the best job I could. At that point in my life, I didn’t have the skills to recognize my depression. Those were difficult times, but they shaped me,” she shared.
By 1967, Sally was exploring film roles, making an impression with “The Way West.” A decade later, she starred alongside Burt Reynolds in the box office hit “Smokey and the Bandit.” Her portrayal in “Norma Rae” won her the first Oscar in 1979, followed by another Oscar for “Places in the Heart” in 1984. In 1994, she played the unforgettable mother in “Forrest Gump,” a film that received six Academy Awards.
Personal Struggles and Family Life
Sally’s personal life included two marriages. She married Steven Craig in 1968, and they had two sons, Peter and Eli, before divorcing in 1975. Her second marriage to Alan Greisman in 1984 produced another son, Samuel, before ending in 1994. Her relationship with Burt Reynolds from 1976 to 1980 was complex, a topic Sally explores candidly in her memoir. Burt described his regret over their failed relationship in his memoir “But Enough About Me.”
Reflecting on their relationship, Sally revealed, “He was not someone I could be around. He was just not good for me in any way. He simply wanted what he couldn’t have. We hadn’t spoken for 30 years before his passing.”
Complicating her personal life further was her difficult relationship with her stepfather, which she discusses in her memoir. His abusive behavior and her struggle to understand her mother’s complicity in the matter haunted her. “Writing the memoir was the only way I could find the pieces of my mother I couldn’t put together. Until I could see that, I couldn’t forgive her. I needed to forgive her or at least understand her,” she explained.
Life After Surgeries and Today
In recent years, Sally has openly discussed feeling “invisible” post-surgery. Despite these challenges, she continues to engage in her passion for acting. These days, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, playing video games, and reminiscing about her storied career.
As her friend and “Lincoln” director Steven Spielberg put it: “As an actor, she dared this town to typecast her, and then simply broke through every dogmatic barrier to find her own way. Through her consistently good taste and feisty persistence, she has survived our ever-changing culture and stood the test of time.”
Sally’s tenacity continues to inspire. With her film “Spoiler Alert” releasing next week and another titled “80 for Brady” in 2023, she shows no signs of slowing down.
