Why Sally Field Is Calling Out Ex Burt Reynolds in New Book
Sally Field, Burt Reynolds
Sally Field opened up about her past relationship with late actor Burt Reynolds in the new book, called 50 Oscar Nights, and according to her, he wasn't very supportive of Field and her early success.
In the upcoming book, via People, Field recounted the years she spent dating Reynolds throughout the '70s and '80s, sharing how he reacted when she got her first Oscar nomination for Norma Rae in 1980. While Field already had a successful acting career at this point, the movie helped solidify her status as a drama actress.
Field recalled Reynolds' behavior ahead of the Oscars that year, saying, “He really was not a nice guy around me then and was not going to go with me," adding that he also discouraged her from going to the Cannes Film Festival. "He said, ‘You don’t think you’re going to win anything, do you?’”
Instead of her boyfriend, comedian David Steinberg and his wife at the time, Judy Marcione, stepped in to take Field to the Oscars for an enjoyable night: "He and Judy made it a big celebration. They picked me up in a limousine and had champagne in the car. They made it just wonderful fun.”
The Steel Magnolias star went on to win the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, taking home another just five years later for Places in the Heart.
Field and Reynolds' romance began soon after the former's divorce from her first husband, Steve Craig. The two formed a connection on the set of Smokey and the Bandit—which quickly became a successful franchise with a few sequels—as both of their careers flourished.
But the couple's romance soon fizzled out and the two reportedly split in 1980, with Field going on to marry her second husband, Alan Greisman, in 1984.
The new book, 50 Oscar Nights: Iconic Stars & Filmmakers on Their Career-Defining Wins, comes out on Jan. 23, It also includes interviews with fellow stars like Julia Roberts and Elton John.
