Sally Field Says “Norma Rae ”Was the ‘Beginning of the End’ with Burt Reynolds: ‘He Threw the Script at Me’ (Exclusive)

Sally Field Reflects on Her Complex Relationship with Burt Reynolds

Sally Field, the acclaimed Oscar-winning actress, has recently shared insights into her intricate relationship with fellow actor Burt Reynolds. Although the two starred together in four films, Field remarked, with a hint of anguish, that she truly considers her experience with Reynolds to hinge on their collaboration in the iconic 1977 film, *Smokey and the Bandit*.

Field, now 79, recalls that their tumultuous connection started when they met just after she concluded her career-defining role in the television film *Sybil*. This marked a significant turning point after years of uncertainty following her stint in the sitcom *The Flying Nun*. Out of the blue, Reynolds reached out to propose her role in *Smokey and the Bandit*, a project he described as “really awful.” “But we’ll fix all of that because we’ll just make it up as we go along,” he told Field, highlighting a sense of improvisation that would characterise their time on set.

As shooting commenced, Field realised that the film was largely unscripted. “We’d drive off in the car with the cameras mounted, and I would say, ‘Okay, roll!’” she recalled. Amidst this creative chaos, a personal bond formed, ultimately entangling the two in a five-year on-and-off romance.

However, Field’s reflections reveal a more tumultuous undercurrent to their relationship. She described Reynolds as exhibiting qualities that were both endearing and alarming. The juxtaposition reminded her painfully of her stepfather, who had subjected her to abuse during her childhood. Field stated that her time with Reynolds was, in many ways, an attempt to confront those past demons. “He was me exercising my stepfather out of my brain,” she said.

The turning point in their relationship occurred with the arrival of the script for *Norma Rae*, a pivotal film that would later earn Field her first Academy Award. She detailed how Reynolds reacted negatively to her interest in the role. “He called her a whore because of her sexual past,” she recounted. His disapproval and attempts to control her led Field to assert her independence. “This is the better of me,” she affirmed at the time, which marked the early stages of her personal and professional empowerment.

Field’s determination to pursue *Norma Rae* only intensified as Reynolds endeavoured to dissuade her from attending the film’s premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. The overwhelmingly positive reception, culminating in a ten-minute standing ovation, was a transformative experience for Field. “I just was like, ‘What?’” she exclaimed, emotionally processing the validation she received after shifting away from the constraints of television.

The relationship ultimately fractured when Reynolds declined to accompany Field to the Oscars on the night she won the Best Actress award in 1980. By 1982, they had ended their five-year connection for good, reflecting a painful yet freeing chapter in Field’s life.

In her reflections, Field notes that portraying Norma Rae was integral to her own growth, enabling her to reclaim her strength. “I could feel my body getting stronger,” she expressed, recognising how taking on this role allowed her to navigate her own struggles. Through her experiences, she began to reject manipulation and humiliation, signalling her journey towards independence.

For those seeking further details about Sally Field’s evolving career and the complex dynamics of her early life in Hollywood, her story is featured in the latest issue of *PEOPLE* magazine, available now. Additionally, her film *Remarkably Bright Creatures* will begin streaming on Netflix this Friday, allowing audiences a chance to witness her continued evolution as an artist.