Sally Field, an Academy, Emmy, and Golden Globe-winning actress, has captivated audiences for decades with her unforgettable roles in films and TV shows like Forrest Gump, Brothers and Sisters, Lincoln, and Steel Magnolias. At 76, Field reflects not only on her storied career but also on the personal challenges that have shaped her life. Her 2018 memoir, In Pieces, offered an unflinching look at her experiences, including sexual abuse by her stepfather and struggles with depression, self-doubt, and loneliness.
The Early Years
Born on November 6, 1946, in Pasadena, California, Sally Field grew up in a family touched by show business. Her mother, Margaret Field, was an actress, while her father, Richard Dryden Field, worked as a salesman. After her parents divorced, her mother married actor and stuntman Jock Mahoney. Sally, her brother Richard, and their half-sister, Princess O’Mahoney, lived in a complex household dynamic.
Field’s career began in 1965 with the titular role in the sitcom Gidget. Though the series was canceled after one season, it marked the start of a long and prolific career. She gained greater visibility starring in The Flying Nun, which ran for three seasons. Field later admitted she struggled during this time, battling depression while navigating a role she disliked. “I just had to put my head down and go to work and do the very best job I could,” she recalled.
Field’s big-screen debut came in 1967 with The Way West. A decade later, her role in Smokey and the Bandit alongside Burt Reynolds catapulted her to stardom. The 1979 drama Norma Rae earned her first Academy Award, followed by a second Oscar for Places in the Heart in 1984. Field’s portrayal of the loving yet strong-willed mother in 1994’s Forrest Gump, a film that won six Oscars, remains one of her most iconic performances.
A Complicated Personal Life
Sally Field’s personal life has been as complex as her career. She married Steven Craig in 1968, and the couple had two sons, Peter and Eli, before divorcing in 1975. Her second marriage to Alan Greisman in 1984 produced a son, Samuel, but ended in 1994.
Field’s romantic relationship with Burt Reynolds, which lasted from 1976 to 1980, was tumultuous. In her memoir, she described Reynolds as controlling and manipulative, revealing how he convinced her to skip the Emmy ceremony where she won for Sybil. The two hadn’t spoken for 30 years before Reynolds’ death in 2018.
In In Pieces, Field also opened up about the abuse she endured from her stepfather, Jock Mahoney, during her teenage years. Her mother, she later discovered, had known about the abuse but chose to believe Mahoney’s false claims that it happened only once while he was drunk. Writing the memoir, Field explained, was her way of understanding her mother and ultimately finding forgiveness. “It was the only way I was going to find the pieces of my mother that I couldn’t put together,” she shared.
A Lasting Legacy
Today, Sally Field treasures time spent with her grandchildren, often playing video games with them in the same room where she keeps her Oscars and Emmys. Despite her illustrious career, Field shows no signs of slowing down. Her recent film Spoiler Alert and her role in the 2023 release 80 for Brady are testaments to her enduring passion for storytelling.
Director Steven Spielberg, who worked with Field on Lincoln, praised her legacy: “As an actor, she dared this town to typecast her, and then simply broke through every dogmatic barrier to find her own way — not to stardom… but to great roles in great films and television. Through her consistently good taste and feisty persistence, she has survived our ever-changing culture, stood the test of time, and earned this singular place in history.”
Sally Field’s journey is a testament to resilience, talent, and the power of authenticity, leaving an indelible mark on both Hollywood and the hearts of her audience.
“I Have 20 Boys,” Paris Hilton Shares as She Reveals Photos With Her New Baby
Paris Hilton and her husband, Carter Reum, recently shared their first family photos with their newborn son, Phoenix. The couple looked incredibly happy and proud as they introduced their little bundle of joy to the world for the first time and revealed their plans to have more babies in the future. The first pictures of the baby boy are a heartwarming sight and a reminder of the joy that new life brings. And we’re excited to know more about their family’s journey together.
The pictures captured the joy and love that the new parents have for their son, and Hilton’s stunning appearance added an extra layer of glamour to the moment. In the photos, Reum can be seen lovingly kissing his wife’s forehead as she cradles their son in her arms. Hilton’s eyes are closed, and she looks completely at peace while holding her precious baby. The couple looked like doting parents, and the images captured the joy and love they feel for their new addition.
Paris Hilton was also captured giving her newborn son a tender kiss while wearing a white robe with delicate lace sleeves. Her son, dressed in a matching white beanie and onesie, slept peacefully on her shoulder, while her husband stood close by, looking on in a long-sleeve black shirt.
The new mom looked as stunning as ever in the photos, sporting a glamorous makeup look that accentuated her natural beauty. Hilton’s signature blonde hair was styled in loose waves that cascaded down her back and shoulders, creating an effortlessly chic and glamorous look. Her overall appearance exuded elegance and sophistication, showing that even as a new mother, she can still look absolutely stunning.
In an interview, Hilton also revealed her deep love for her son and how protective she feels toward him. “I want to protect him and be with him every second. You have this mother instinct that kicks in, which I’ve never had before,” she said.
During her recent interview that came just a day after revealing the baby’s mythical name for the first time, the fragrance mogul revealed that she had initially planned to have a child on her own before meeting Carter and made the decision to freeze her eggs at the advice of her friend, Kim Kardashian. But when she and Carter met and tied the knot, they decided to start a family.
The heiress said: “Carter and I had already been talking about the future… so I was like, ’What do you think about us making embryos?’ And he said, ’Yeah, let’s do it.’” Accordingly, they had embryos frozen with the possibility of having numerous children in the future, and the collection is “all boys.” “We’ve done it 7 times… I have all boys. I have 20 boys,” Hilton shared.
In addition, Paris also disclosed that she had always planned to have a baby with the help of a surrogate due to her fear of childbirth, which developed during her boarding school years. She mentioned that watching a woman give birth while filming The Simple Life had traumatized her.
Hilton’s candid revelations shed light on the complexities of starting a family and the various paths one can take to become a parent. Her openness about her decision to freeze her eggs, to eventually use a surrogate, and her fear surrounding childbirth may help other women who are also struggling with similar issues or who are considering similar solutions to conceive.
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