Jealous Burt Reynolds Refuses to Accompany Sally Field to Oscars

Sally Field, an Oscar-winning actress, has revealed details about her past relationship with Burt Reynolds, emphasizing how he reacted negatively when she was nominated for her first Academy Award in 1979 for her role in “Norma Rae.”

In a recently published book on the history of the Academy Awards, Field shared that Reynolds, her then-boyfriend, did not support her success during that time.

Despite professing his love for her, Reynolds displayed a lack of affection towards Field as she gained recognition for her portrayal of a union organizer in “Norma Rae,” marking a shift from her previous comedic roles to more serious acting.

According to Field, Reynolds displayed unkind behavior towards her leading up to the 52nd Academy Awards in 1980.

Reportedly, the actor refused to attend the ceremony with her, leaving Field to be accompanied by friends, David and Judy Steinberg, who made the evening a memorable celebration for her.

Field recounted how Reynolds discouraged her participation in events like the Cannes Film Festival and expressed skepticism about her chances of winning any awards.

These actions highlighted Reynolds' lack of enthusiasm for Field's career milestones.

The complexities of Field and Reynolds' relationship have been previously discussed by Field, particularly after Reynolds' passing in 2018.

Their bond, which began on the set of “Smokey and the Bandit” in 1977 and ended in 1982, was described as both loving and tumultuous by Field.

Despite Reynolds later expressing remorse over their separation and citing Field as the love of his life, Field's perspective on their relationship differs.

She mentioned feeling controlled by Reynolds and portrayed their dynamic as intense and challenging in her memoir, “In Pieces.”

Field's career continued to flourish post her split from Reynolds, with her securing another Oscar for “Places in the Heart” in 1984.

In contrast, Reynolds faced a decline in his career until a resurgence in the late 1990s with an Oscar nomination for his role in “Boogie Nights.”

Reflecting on her time with Reynolds after his death, Field acknowledged the enduring impact of their relationship on her life.

While reminiscing about their years together, she expressed a blend of emotions and memories that will stay with her forever.

She also admitted feeling relieved that Reynolds would not read her memoir, as it contained candid reflections on their relationship that might have caused him further pain.