Sally Field Dishes On Burt Reynolds Oscar Feud, And Subsequent Hatred
Winning an Academy Award should be one of the best moments of an actor’s life. But, as it turns out, being recognized as being one of the best in your industry isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and for many, it comes with a lot of drama. Dave Karger’s new book, 50 Oscar Nights spills the tea on what happens behind the scenes in Hollywood, including the story about how the Oscars split Sally Field and Burt Reynolds apart when Reynolds refused to support Field’s win.
In a candid revelation from Sally Field in Karger’s new book, the acclaimed actress shed light on the tumultuous dynamics she experienced with her then-boyfriend, Burt Reynolds, leading up to the 1980 Academy Awards. The two-time Academy Award-winning actress disclosed that Reynolds was notably unhappy with the buzz surrounding her role in Norma Rae.
According to Sally Field, Burt Reynolds displayed unsupportive behavior regarding her career-changing performance, going as far as discouraging her from attending the Cannes Film Festival when the movie was first released. In the book, she recalls Reynolds stating, “You don’t think you’re going to win anything, do you?” This negative attitude persisted, culminating in Reynolds refusing to accompany Field to the 52nd Academy Awards ceremony in 1980.
During this challenging period, Sally Field reflects on the support she received from actor and comedian David Steinberg and his then-wife, Judy. They stepped in to be her date for the Oscars, providing a glamorous experience that helped Field navigate the event without Burt Reynolds by her side.
Sally Field emphasized that Burt Reynolds was “not a nice guy” around her, even though the couple dated for five years. While the actress didn’t state this in the book, from her recollection of the actor’s actions, it was clear that he was jealous of Field’s rising fame. After all, it’s a pretty terrible boyfriend who refuses to support their partner during their very first Oscar win.
Burt Reynolds, who passed away in 2018 at the age of 82, had dated Sally Field in the late ’70s and early ’80s. In her 2018 memoir, In Pieces, Field detailed the complex nature of their relationship, highlighting Reynolds’ importance in her life for a brief period. The memoir also revealed that Field and Reynolds had limited contact in the last three decades of his life.
In a 2022 interview, Sally Field candidly shared her experience of onscreen kisses with Burt Reynolds, describing it as involving “a lot of drooling.” Despite the challenges, Reynolds, before his death, expressed regrets about their split, admitting to director Adam Rifkin in the documentary I Am Burt Reynolds, that Field was the woman he should have ended up with, saying, “I screwed up.”
Reflecting on her iconic night at the 1980 Oscars, Sally Field reminisced about having a wonderful evening, even without Burt Reynolds’ support. She had her hair done and fashioned a white strapless dress with a sheer floral cover, courtesy of legendary designer Bob Mackie.
Moving beyond Sally Field and Burt Reynolds, 50 Oscar Nights explores the behind-the-scenes intricacies of Oscar ceremonies throughout history, revealing the human side of the glamorous event. Karger emphasizes that winning an Academy Award is not always a straightforwardly positive experience, with many recipients grappling with complex emotions during their big night.
