Sally Field’s Worst On-Screen Kiss Might Surprise You
Sally Field is one of Hollywood’s most beloved and accomplished actresses, with a career spanning more than five decades. From Gidget to Norma Rae to Forrest Gump, she’s played a wide range of roles and shared the screen—and some intimate moments—with many of the industry’s biggest names. But when asked about her worst on-screen kiss, Field didn’t hold back—and her answer left many fans stunned.
In an interview that resurfaced and quickly went viral, Sally Field revealed that her least favorite kiss was with none other than Burt Reynolds, her real-life former flame and longtime friend. Yes, the man she had a well-known off-screen relationship with was also, in her words, “a terrible kisser” on screen.
The revelation shocked many, given their iconic pairing in the 1977 classic Smokey and the Bandit. Fans often remember their chemistry as electric. But Field confessed that while the attraction was real, the kisses themselves were not enjoyable—at least from a technical perspective. “It was just all… tongue,” she once said, with a laugh. “It was wet and sloppy, and it just wasn’t good.”
What makes this even more interesting is that Field and Reynolds had a famously intense off-screen romance that lasted for years, despite its ups and downs. Reynolds himself often referred to Field as the love of his life. But Field later revealed in her memoir In Pieces that the relationship was far more complicated—and at times, controlling.
Her comment about the kiss isn’t just a jab at a past partner; it reflects how sometimes, on-screen passion doesn’t reflect off-screen affection—or vice versa. In fact, many actors have spoken about how awkward and technical kissing scenes really are, with cameras, lighting, crew, and multiple takes interrupting any real intimacy.
Still, for someone like Sally Field to name Burt Reynolds—considering their history—makes the confession even more surprising and impactful. It reminds us that what we see on screen is often a well-crafted illusion, and even Hollywood legends aren’t immune to uncomfortable moments.
So the next time you watch Smokey and the Bandit and see that big romantic moment between the Bandit and Frog, just remember: for Sally Field, that steamy kiss wasn’t a highlight—it was a behind-the-scenes
