Sally Field’s worst on-screen kiss in her decades-long career might be a surprise to most

I have always thought Sally Field was amazing. She is an actress of legendary caliber. In addition, the 76-year-old has a long history of on-screen romances.

As a result, she has received her fair share of kisses on TV. Though at first she was reluctant to reveal whose costar it was with, she finally revealed which has been the worst.

Sally Field, regarded as one of the most gifted and adaptable actors of her generation, has had an incredible Hollywood career. Her legendary roles in a number of movies and television shows have won us over.

She gave an amazing performance in Steel Magnolias, for instance, and the funeral scene is something I will always remember.Sally portrayed a woman torn by love, disappointment, hatred, and loss, and she did a fantastic job at it.

She is, of course, also well-known for her parts in popular television shows and films, including Erin Brockovich, The Flying Nun, Gidget, Forrest Gump, and Sweet and the Bandit.


In Pasadena, California, Sally was born into a working-class family in show business.

However, her early years were everything but idyllic. Sally claimed in her memoirs that she was abused by her stepfather and that, when she was seventeen, she had a covert abortion.

Still, she proved to be such a kind, modest person.

As of right now, Sally is still going to work every day. In the 2020 television series Dispatches From Elsewhere, she portrayed Janice. She will play Jessie Buss in the widely watched television series Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty in 2022, which depicts the personal and professional life of the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s.

It is therefore not surprising that Sally occasionally appears in interviews given how active she is.

After a fan asked a pointed question, beloved icon Sally Field opted to share her worst on-screen kiss with the world on Thursday, Dec. 1 episode of “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.”

Upon hearing the question, Field, 76, looked around and laughed, saying, “Oh boy.” Do I really need to name names here?

“I believe you should,” 54-year-old Cohen answered.

Field gave in and said, “All right. This is going to surprise you. Hold on, people.

The Oscar-winning actress accused actor Burt Reynolds, her ex-boyfriend, of being the guilty party.

Cohen asked, “But weren’t you dating at the time?” with prompt follow-up.

Field clarified that she was required to “look the other way” when filming “Smokey and the Bandit.” This, according to her, “just wasn’t something he really did for you.”

“Isn’t that something?” Cohen asked, seeming shocked.

The actress continued by saying that Reynolds did a lot of “drooling” while they were on screen together.

While filming “Smokey and the Bandit,” the two co-stars got to know one another in 1977. They dated for almost five years after that.

According to the New York Post, Reynolds discussed his friendship with Field in his memoir But Enough About Me. Reynolds tragically passed away at the age of 82 from cardiac arrest.

The celebrity said he regretted their time together and wished he had done more to try to mend their relationship.

Field gave Variety an explanation in March for why she had stopped communicating with Reynolds throughout the last 30 years of his life.

She went on, “He was not someone I could be around.” “He was simply not a good fit for me at all. Additionally, he had somehow created the illusion that I was more significant to him than he had previously believed, even though I wasn’t. All he wanted was the thing that he was without. Simply put, I didn’t want to handle that.

At 55, I Fell for a Man 15 Years Younger than Me, Only to Discover a Shocking Truth – Story of the Day

I came to the island searching for peace, a fresh start to heal from my past. Instead, I found HIM—charming, attentive, and everything I didn’t know I needed. But just when I started to believe in new beginnings, a single moment shattered it all.

Even though I’d spent decades there, my living room felt like a stranger’s space. At 55, I stared at the open suitcase, wondering how my life had come to this.

“How did we get here?” I asked the chipped “Forever & Always” cup in my hand before tossing it aside.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

I ran my hand along the couch. “Goodbye to Sunday coffee and pizza fights.”

Memories buzzed in my mind, unwelcome guests I couldn’t evict. In the bedroom, the emptiness hit harder. The other side of the bed stared back at me like an accusation.

“Don’t look at me like that,” I muttered. “It wasn’t all my fault.”

Packing became a scavenger hunt for things that still mattered. The laptop sat on my desk like a beacon.

“At least you stuck around,” I said, patting it.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

After two years of work, my novel was inside. It wasn’t finished, but it was mine—proof I wasn’t entirely lost.

Then, Lana’s email came:

“Creative retreat. Warm island. Fresh start. Wine.”

“Of course, wine,” I laughed.

Lana had always been good at making disasters sound appealing. The idea felt reckless, but wasn’t that the point?

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

I stared at the flight confirmation. My inner voice was relentless.

What if I hate it? Or if they hate me? What if I fall into the ocean and get eaten by sharks?

But then another thought crept in.

What if I enjoy it?

I exhaled and closed the suitcase. “Here’s to running away.”

I wasn’t running away. I was running toward something.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

***

The island greeted me with a warm breeze and the rhythmic sound of ocean waves crashing against the shore. For a moment, I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, letting the salty air fill my lungs.

This is exactly what I needed.

But the peace didn’t last. As I approached the retreat, the serenity of the island was replaced by loud music and bursts of laughter. People mostly in their 20s and 30s lounged on brightly colored beanbags, holding drinks that seemed more umbrella than liquid.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“Well, this isn’t exactly a monastery,” I muttered under my breath.

A group near the pool burst into laughter so loud it startled a bird from a nearby tree. I sighed.

Creative breakthroughs, huh, Lana?

Before I could retreat into the shadows, Lana appeared, her sunhat tilted at a jaunty angle and a margarita in hand.

“Thea!” she shouted, as though we hadn’t emailed just yesterday. “You made it!”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“Regretting it already,” I murmured but plastered on a smile.

“Oh, stop,” she said, waving a hand. “This is where the magic happens! Trust me, you’ll love it.”

“I was hoping for something… quieter,” I said, raising an eyebrow.

“Nonsense! You need to meet people and soak in the energy! Speaking of which,” she grabbed my arm, “I have someone you must meet.”

Before I could protest, she dragged me through the crowd. I felt like a frumpy mother at a high school party, trying not to trip over discarded flip-flops.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

We stopped in front of a man who, I kid you not, looked like he belonged on the cover of GQ. Sun-kissed skin, a relaxed smile, and a white linen shirt unbuttoned just enough to be suggestive but not sleazy.

“Thea, meet Eric,” Lana said with excitement.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Thea,” he said, his voice as smooth as the ocean breeze.

“Likewise,” I said, hoping my nervousness didn’t show.

Lana beamed as if she’d just set up a royal engagement. “Eric’s a writer, too. He’s been dying to meet you since I told him about your novel.”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

My cheeks flushed. “Oh, it’s not finished.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Eric said. “The fact that you’ve poured yourself into it for two years… that’s incredible! I’d love to hear about it.”

Lana smirked and backed away. “You two talk. I’ll find more margaritas!”

I glared after her. But in a few minutes, whether it was Eric’s undeniable charisma or the enchanting ocean breeze playing tricks on me, I found myself agreeing to a walk.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“Give me a moment,” I said, surprising even myself.

Back in my room, I rummaged through my suitcase and pulled out my most flattering sundress.

Why not? If I’m going to be dragged around, I might as well look good doing it.

When I stepped outside, Eric was waiting. “Ready?”

I nodded, trying to act casual, even as my stomach did an uncharacteristic flutter. “Lead the way.”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

Eric showed me parts of the island that seemed untouched by the chaos of the “retreat.” A secluded beach with a swing hanging from a palm tree, a hidden trail leading to a cliff with a breathtaking view—places that weren’t in any guidebook.

“You’re good at this,” I said, laughing.

“Good at what?” he asked, sitting on the sand nearby.

“Making someone forget they’re wildly out of place.”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

His smile widened. “Maybe you’re not as out of place as you think.”

As we talked, I laughed more than I had in months. He shared stories of his travels and love for literature, which matched mine. His admiration for my novel felt sincere, and when he joked about framing my autograph one day, I felt a warmth I hadn’t in a long time.

But beneath the laughter, something tugged at the edge of my thoughts. A faint unease I couldn’t explain. He seemed perfect, too perfect.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

***

The next morning started on a high note. I stretched, my mind buzzing with ideas for the next chapter of my novel.

“Today’s the day,” I murmured, reaching for my laptop.

My fingers flew over the keyboard as I woke it up. But when the desktop appeared, my heart stopped. The folder where my novel had lived—two years of blood, sweat, and sleepless nights—was gone. I searched every corner of the hard drive, hoping I had misplaced it. Nothing.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“That’s odd,” I said to myself.

My laptop was there, but the most important part of my life’s work had disappeared without a trace.

“Okay, don’t freak out,” I whispered, clutching the edge of the desk. “You probably just misplaced it.”

But I knew I hadn’t. I bolted out of the room and headed straight to Lana. As I passed the hallway, muffled voices caught my attention. I froze, my heart pounding. Slowly, I moved toward the sound. The door to the next room was slightly ajar.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“We just need to pitch it to the right publisher?” he said.

My blood ran cold. Eric’s voice was unmistakable. Peeking through the gap, I saw Lana leaning in, her voice a low hum of conspiracy.

“Her manuscript is brilliant,” Lana said, her tone syrupy. “We’ll figure out how to position it as mine. She’ll never know what hit her.”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

My stomach churned with anger and betrayal, but also something worse—disappointment. Eric, who’d made me laugh, listened to me, and who I’d started to trust, was part of that.

I turned away before they could see me and headed to my room. I slammed my suitcase shut, stuffing clothes into it haphazardly.

“This was supposed to be my fresh start,” I whispered bitterly.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

My vision blurred, but I refused to cry. Crying was for someone who still believed in second chances, and I was done with that.

By the time I left the island, the bright sunshine felt like a cruel joke. I kept my gaze ahead, refusing to look back. I didn’t need to.

***

Months later, the bookstore was buzzing with excitement. Rows of seats were filled, and the air hummed with conversation. I stood at the podium, holding a copy of my novel, and tried to focus on the faces smiling back at me.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“Thank you all for being here tonight,” I said, my voice steady despite the swirl of emotions beneath the surface. “This book is the result of years of work and… a journey I never expected to take.”

The applause was warm, yet I felt an ache deep in my chest as I looked out over the crowd. The novel was my pride, yes, but the road to its success had been anything but smooth. The betrayal still lingered in my mind.

After the signing line dwindled and the last guest left, I sank into a chair at the corner of the store, exhausted. That’s when I saw it—a small folded note on the table.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“You owe me an autograph. Café around the corner when you’re free.”

The handwriting was unmistakable. My heart skipped a beat. Eric.

I stared at the note, my emotions a confusing mix of curiosity, irritation, and something else I wasn’t ready to name.

For a moment, I considered crumpling it up and walking away. But instead, I sighed, grabbed my coat, and headed for the café. I spotted him immediately.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“You’re bold, leaving me a note like that,” I said, sliding into the seat across from him.

“Bold or desperate?” he replied with a wry smile. “I wasn’t sure you’d come.”

“Neither was I,” I admitted.

“Thea, I need to explain. What happened on the island… At first, I didn’t realize Lana’s true motives. She convinced me it was all to help you. But the moment I discovered what she was really planning, I took the flash drive and sent it to you.”

I stayed silent.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“When Lana involved me, she said you were too modest to publish your novel yourself,” Eric continued. “She claimed you didn’t believe in your talent and needed someone to surprise you, to push it forward. I thought I was helping.”

“A surprise?” I shot back. “You mean taking my work behind my back?”

“That’s what I thought at first. The moment she told me the truth, I grabbed the flash drive and went to find you, but you were already gone.”

“So, what I overheard wasn’t what it seemed?”

“It wasn’t. Thea, I chose you the second I understood the truth.”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

I let the silence settle, waiting for the familiar anger to surface. But it wasn’t there anymore. Lana’s manipulations were in the past, and the novel had been published on my terms.

“She always envied you, you know,” Eric said quietly, breaking the silence. “Even back in university, she felt overshadowed. This time, she saw an opportunity and used both our trust to try and take what wasn’t hers.”

“And now?”

“She’s gone. Disappeared from every circle I know. She couldn’t face the fallout after I refused to back her lies.”

“You made the right choice. That counts for something.”

“Does that mean you’ll give me another chance?”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

“One date,” I said, holding up a finger. “Don’t mess it up.”

His grin widened. “Deal.”

As we left the café, I caught myself smiling. That one date turned into another and then another. Before I knew it, I fell in love. And that time, it wasn’t one-sided. What started with betrayal had blossomed into a relationship built on understanding, forgiveness, and, yes, love.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

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If you enjoyed this story, read this one: I thought I was helping a sharp-tongued customer pick a gift for her son’s girlfriend. But our clash became deeply personal when she came to dinner as my BF’s mother. Read the full story here.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.

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