Sally Field Reveals Burt Reynolds’ Jealousy and Refusal to Attend Oscars as Her Date

In a forthcoming book titled “50 Oscar Nights” by Dave Karger, Sally Field opens up about her tumultuous relationship with her long-time partner, Burt Reynolds.

The renowned actress discloses that Reynolds harbored jealousy towards her burgeoning success following her performance in the 1979 movie, “Norma Rae,” as reported by People magazine.

Field reminisces about her desire to accompany the Cannes Film Festival to promote the film, but Reynolds displayed a lack of support.

She recounts his discouraging words, “You don't think you're going to win anything, do you?”

shared via an excerpt from People.

Expressing her dismay, Field remarks on Reynolds' unpleasant demeanor during that period and reveals that he declined to accompany her to the 1980 Oscars Awards as her escort.

Consequently, Field found herself without a date for the prestigious event, the 52nd Academy Awards.

Despite the setback, Field managed to attend the ceremony with actor David Steinberg and his then-wife, Judy.

Recalling the evening, Field describes how David and Judy uplifted her spirits, turning the occasion into a joyous celebration.

They picked her up in a limousine, where champagne flowed, creating a memorable and enjoyable experience.

This night proved to be a pivotal moment in Field's career as she clinched the coveted Oscar for best actress.

Her triumph at the 52nd Academy Awards marked the first of her two Oscar wins, with the second occurring in 1985 for her role in “Places in the Heart.”

The relationship between Reynolds and Field was characterized by its on-and-off nature, originating from their encounter on the set of the initial “Smokey and the Bandit” film.

Sally Field has previously been vocal about her experiences with Burt Reynolds.

Following Reynolds' passing in September 2018 due to a heart attack, Field disclosed in December 2022 that her least favorite on-screen kisser in her extensive acting career was indeed Reynolds, with whom she had shared a romantic involvement.

During an appearance on Bravo's “Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen,” Field initially hesitated before dropping the unexpected revelation.

The audience reacted with surprise, and even the host expressed disbelief at her choice.

Field and Reynolds had shared numerous on-screen kisses in the 1977 film “Smokey and the Bandit,” where their characters had a romantic dynamic.

Despite their real-life relationship between 1976 and 1980, Field indicated that kissing Reynolds was not his forte, citing excessive drooling as the issue.

Field's candid confession about the less-than-ideal kissing experience with Reynolds elicited both laughter and astonishment from the audience and the host, Andy Cohen.

Despite the challenges in their personal and professional relationship, Field acknowledged the lasting impact of her time with Reynolds, emphasizing his enduring presence in her memories and heart.