Why Sally Field Says Her Worst On-Screen Kiss Was with Burt Reynolds

Sally Field has long been one of Hollywood’s most beloved and talented actresses. At 76, her career has spanned decades, with unforgettable performances in classics like Steel Magnolias, Gidget, Forrest Gump, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Smokey and the Bandit.

Her journey to stardom wasn’t easy. Field has been open about her difficult upbringing — including the trauma of abuse by her stepfather and undergoing a secret abortion at just 17. Yet, despite the hardship, she carved out an extraordinary career, earning both critical acclaim and the admiration of audiences around the world.

Even now, Sally remains active in the entertainment industry. In recent years, she’s appeared in Dispatches from Elsewhere and Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, proving her talent and versatility are as strong as ever.

But not all of her Hollywood memories are fond ones.

In a 2022 appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Sally was asked about her worst on-screen kiss. Her answer? Burt Reynolds — her former co-star in Smokey and the Bandit and real-life romantic partner for five years. Despite their relationship, she didn’t hold back. “It was just not something he did very well,” she admitted, joking that there was “a lot of drooling.”

Reynolds, before his passing, publicly expressed regret about how things ended with Field. But she has since shared that they hadn’t spoken in the final 30 years of his life. “He was just not good for me in any way,” she said frankly.

Through it all, Sally Field continues to earn admiration not only for her incredible work on-screen but also for her honesty, resilience, and strength off-screen.