Sally Field’s Worst On-Screen Kiss: A Surprising Hollywood Confession
Sally Field has graced Hollywood with her talent, charm, and undeniable screen presence for more than five decades. From her early days as the bubbly Gidget to her powerful performances in Norma Rae, Places in the Heart, and Forrest Gump, Field has established herself as one of the most respected and versatile actresses in the industry. Over the course of her storied career, she has worked with a who’s who of Hollywood’s leading men — Burt Reynolds, Tom Hanks, Robin Williams, Jeff Bridges, and more. But when she was once asked about her worst on-screen kiss, her answer wasn’t just unexpected — it was downright shocking.
In a candid interview, Sally Field revealed that her worst on-screen kiss was with none other than Burt Reynolds, the very man with whom she had one of the most famous Hollywood romances of the 1970s. The two starred together in multiple films, most notably Smokey and the Bandit, and were considered one of the hottest couples of the era. Their chemistry on screen was electric, their flirtation seemingly genuine. So how could Reynolds, her former lover, end up at the bottom of her kissing list?
A Surprising Confession
The confession came during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, where Field was asked a playful but pointed question about her worst on-screen kiss. Without hesitation, she answered, “Burt Reynolds.” The audience gasped, and Cohen himself looked stunned.
Field didn’t say it with bitterness or spite, but her reasoning was laced with candor. She explained, “It was just not something he did very well.” She added that Burt had a tendency to be too forceful and overbearing during kisses, making the moments feel less about mutual connection and more about control. “It was just… wet,” she added, half-jokingly, hinting that Reynolds may not have mastered the art of subtlety or finesse in romantic scenes.
For many fans who grew up idolizing their off-screen romance, this revelation came as a curveball. Reynolds and Field had dated for nearly five years and were considered Hollywood royalty during the height of their relationship. The idea that their on-screen kisses — supposedly a reflection of their real-life passion — were less than stellar was a jarring twist in their shared history.
Complicated Love Behind the Scenes
To understand Field’s blunt admission, one has to look at the broader context of her relationship with Burt Reynolds. Their romance began in the late 1970s when they filmed Smokey and the Bandit. Burt, already a massive star at the time, was instantly taken with Field. She was hesitant at first — aware of his notorious reputation with women — but eventually gave in to the allure.
Their relationship was passionate, tumultuous, and, according to Field, emotionally taxing. In her 2018 memoir In Pieces, Field opened up about how emotionally controlling and manipulative Reynolds could be. She described him as charming and magnetic, but also someone who struggled to accept a woman with her own strength and career ambitions.
Field admitted that she spent years trying to please him, only to feel diminished in the process. “By the time we split, I was so drained and broken,” she wrote. Her comments about their bad kissing scenes can be interpreted as part of this broader pattern — a reflection of how, even in private or supposedly intimate moments, Reynolds sought dominance rather than connection.
Burt Reynolds Responds
Before his death in 2018, Reynolds had spoken highly of Field in several interviews. He often called her the love of his life and expressed regret that he had let her go. In his own memoir, But Enough About Me, Reynolds confessed, “I miss her terribly. Even now, it’s hard. I don’t know why I was so stupid. Men are like that, you know.”
Still, Field maintained that while she cherished parts of their time together, she also needed to reclaim her sense of self after their breakup. Her choice to name him as her worst on-screen kiss wasn’t necessarily meant to humiliate him — it seemed to be a final, honest footnote to a complex chapter in her life.
Other Memorable On-Screen Kisses
Interestingly, while she was so blunt about Reynolds, Field had nothing but kind things to say about some of her other co-stars. She praised James Garner (Murphy’s Romance) for his warmth and effortless charm. Tom Hanks, who played her son in Forrest Gump but shared a romantic scene with her in Punchline, was described as “professional, sweet, and respectful.”
Robin Williams, her co-star in Mrs. Doubtfire, also left a lasting impression, though not in a romantic way. “Robin was so funny, it was hard to stay in character during any scene,” she said in interviews. “He had this energy that just made everything feel alive.”
What Makes a Great On-Screen Kiss?
Field’s comments also offer a rare glimpse into what actors actually think about those romantic moments we see on screen. While fans often project real chemistry onto those scenes, the reality is that kisses are choreographed, often awkward, and always under the watchful eyes of directors, crew, and cameras. For a kiss to feel genuine, both actors need to be present, respectful, and in sync — something that doesn’t always happen, even with real-life couples.
In Field’s case, her worst on-screen kiss wasn’t with someone she disliked or didn’t get along with. It was with someone she had deeply loved — which, in a way, makes it all the more striking. It serves as a reminder that chemistry in real life doesn’t always translate to cinematic magic, and that the dynamics behind the scenes can shape what we see on the screen in unexpected ways.
Legacy, Honesty, and Independence
Sally Field has always been known for her honesty and refusal to sugarcoat the truth. Whether accepting Oscars or talking about her struggles with self-worth, she speaks with the clarity of someone who has spent decades learning from her experiences. Her revelation about Burt Reynolds is just another example of her unfiltered approach to storytelling — a willingness to speak plainly, even when the truth is surprising.
At 77, Field continues to act, inspire, and share her story on her terms. Her confession about her worst on-screen kiss may have raised eyebrows, but it also reflects her continued insistence on being honest, no matter how beloved the myth may be. After all, in an industry built on illusion, Sally Field remains a woman rooted in truth.
