I’ve always thought Sally Field was incredible—a legendary actress with an impressive career spanning decades. At 76, she has had her share of on-screen romances and, naturally, quite a few memorable kisses. But when asked about her worst on-screen kiss, she finally opened up, revealing an unexpected answer.
Sally Field is widely regarded as one of the most gifted and versatile actors of her generation. Her Hollywood career has been nothing short of extraordinary, with iconic roles in numerous films and TV shows that have left a lasting impact. Her performance in *Steel Magnolias,* particularly during the funeral scene, is unforgettable, where she portrayed a woman grappling with love, loss, and heartache.
Field is also known for her roles in beloved movies and TV shows like *Erin Brockovich,* *The Flying Nun,* *Gidget,* *Forrest Gump,* and *Smokey and the Bandit.*
Born into a working-class family in show business in Pasadena, California, Sally Field’s early years were far from idyllic. In her memoir, she revealed that she was abused by her stepfather and underwent a secret abortion at the age of seventeen. Despite these challenges, she emerged as a kind and humble person.
Even now, Field remains active in her career. In 2020, she played Janice in the TV series *Dispatches From Elsewhere,* and in 2022, she portrayed Jessie Buss in *Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty,* which chronicles the Los Angeles Lakers’ personal and professional lives in the 1980s. Given her ongoing work, it’s no surprise that Sally Field occasionally appears in interviews.
During the December 1 episode of “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,” Sally Field was asked by a fan about her worst on-screen kiss. Field, with a laugh, hesitated at first, saying, “Oh boy. Do I really need to name names here?” Encouraged by Cohen to reveal the name, she finally said, “All right. This is going to surprise you. Hold on, people.”
The Oscar-winning actress then revealed that her worst on-screen kiss was with none other than Burt Reynolds, her former boyfriend. Cohen, surprised, asked, “But weren’t you dating at the time?”
Field explained that during the filming of *Smokey and the Bandit,* she had to “look the other way” when it came to kissing Reynolds.
She admitted that it “just wasn’t something he really did for [her].” Field also mentioned that Reynolds had a habit of “drooling” during their on-screen kisses.
Field and Reynolds first met on the set of Smokey and the Bandit in 1977 and went on to date for nearly five years. In his memoir But Enough About Me, Reynolds reflected on their relationship, expressing regret that he didn’t do more to repair it. Sadly, Reynolds passed away in 2018 at the age of 82 from cardiac arrest.
In a March interview with Variety, Field explained why she had ceased contact with Reynolds during the last 30 years of his life. “He was not someone I could be around,” she said. “He simply wasn’t a good fit for me at all. He had somehow created an illusion that I was more important to him than I actually was. All he wanted was what he couldn’t have. I just didn’t want to deal with that.”
