Sally Margaret Field was born on November 6, 1946, in Pasadena, California. Her parents, Richard Dryden Field and Margaret Field (a Southern born actress), divorced in 1950. Her mother remarried Western stunt man and actor, Jock Mahoney, (and star of the television series, “Range Rider”). Sally’s career began in mid 1960s television, first starring in the series, “Gidget” and then “The Flying Nun” followed by “The Girl With Something Extra”.
She paid a price for these somewhat fluffy parts, as she was not regarded within the industry as having much potential as a dramatic actress. She proved them very wrong however, in the television film, “Sybil,” in which she portrayed a character afflicted with multiple-personality syndrome. Her role landed her an Emmy in 1977. She received an Academy Award for “Best Actress” in 1979 for her riveting portrayal of a union organizer opposite Ron Liebman in “Norma Rae”. She won another Oscar in 1984 for “Places In The Heart” and appeared in many supporting roles over the next decade, including “Mrs. Doubtfire” (1993) and “Forest Gump” (1994). She won another Emmy in 2001 for her work in the television series, “ER”.
Sally Field’s name was linked to that of Burt Reynolds for many years, although they never married. She married twice, once to her high school sweetheart, Steven Craig, with whom she had two sons and divorced in 1975, and again to Alan Greisman whom she also divorced in 1993. She has one son, Sam, from this union and one of her other sons, Peter Craig, is a successful novelist.
Sally Field is a formidable presence in film and popular culture. May she continue to make many more movies for her many adoring fans all over the world.
What are some of YOUR favorite Sally Field performances? Please share.