Tragic Details About Sally Field
Trigger warning: This article contains references to mental, physical, and sexual abuse, mental illness and suicide.
Sally Field is an accomplished actor who has left an indelible mark on Hollywood with her versatile performances that have spanned more than five decades. She rose to prominence in the 1960s with her role as Sister Bertrille in the television series "The Flying Nun." However, it was her roles in films like "Norma Rae" and "Places in the Heart" that garnered critical acclaim and earned her Academy Awards for Best Actress. Field's career continued to flourish throughout the '80s and '90s with memorable performances in movies such as "Steel Magnolias" and "Forrest Gump," showcasing her range and longevity as an actress. Sadly, even with one of Hollywood's most successful runs, Field has endured a string of troubling instances throughout her life.
Field' childhood was riddled with abuse that she kept concealed for years. In adulthood, she would also go through a tumultuous relationship with fellow actor Burt Reynolds, who she claims was emotionally abusive. In her 2018 memoir, "In Pieces," she even suggested that he may have been physically abusive toward her, writing, "As I began pulling away, he tightened his grip, sometimes literally." Although she declined to provide more details, Sally Field has been open about various other tragic aspects of her life.
Sally Field was subjected to sexual abuse by a family member as a child
Sally Field's mother, Margaret, married actor and stuntman Jock Mahoney in 1952, just one year after she divorced Field's father, Richard. However, the relationship became a nightmare for Field when Mahoney began sexually abusing her. When she was just seven years old, Mahoney would request that Field walk on his back. This would escalate over the years into a twisted cycle of abuse, with Field writing, "It would have been so much easier if I'd only felt one thing, if Jocko had been nothing but cruel and frightening. But he wasn't. He could be magical, the Pied Piper with our family as his entranced followers." Field believed that Margaret, who was also an actor, was unable to protect her due to a drinking problem. The abuse by Mahoney ended when she was 14, but further assaults would take place as she navigated through Hollywood.
Field also shared in her memoir that in 1968, musician Jimmy Webb began having nonconsensual sex with her while she was sleeping. She woke up to find him on top of her, and despite the shocking act, Field believes it was the result of him being high on drugs. In another instance, Field alleged that she was forced to kiss director Bob Rafelson for a movie role in the 1976 movie, "Stay Hungry."
Field had an abortion while still a teenager
At age 17, Sally Field found herself pregnant by a boy she met after graduating high school. She learned of the pregnancy in 1964, years before Roe v. Wade was passed, which federally made abortion legal. Therefore, she had to travel to Tijuana, Mexico, to have the procedure done. Ironically, her former abusive stepfather, Jock Mahoney, was the person to organize the trip. Due to this experience, decades later, Field slammed lawmakers who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade years. She expressed her anger with the decision in a March 2022 chat with Variety, "I think it's criminal. They're so wanting to roll back the achievements and important progress for women, for Blacks, for the LGBTQ community. I can't say enough horrible things about what I feel about those men."
After overcoming sexual abuse and an unplanned teenage pregnancy, Field welcomed three sons, Peter Craig, Eli Craig, and Samuel Greisman, whom she actually helped start a relationship with partner Adam Rippon. Her children are also involved in the film industry, carving their own lanes outside of their mother's profound success. Despite enduring years of adversity, Field has triumphed over numerous challenges and remains an advocate for assault victims and the rights of the LGBTQ community.
Field was diagnosed with a potentially life-changing bone disease
Sally Field was actively working in Hollywood during the early 2000s, and many would have never guessed that she was battling a bone disease. In 2006, shortly before she turned 60, Field was diagnosed with osteoporosis. The disorder thins the bones, making people prone to bone fractures. Often, the illness does not show symptoms in the beginning, which was the case for Field, who told WebMd in April 2006, "My bones appeared to be getting steadily thinner without any signs or symptoms I could see or feel."
Despite the surprise diagnosis, Field knew that she was at risk for developing osteoporosis. Both of Field's grandmothers suffered from the disease, as well as her mother, actor Margaret Field. According to the Cleveland Clinic, bones naturally lose density over time, but osteoporosis only exasperates this process. Thankfully for Field, she has found ways to fight back against the fast-moving disease. Field uses daily vitamins in conjunction with calcium-filled foods. She also does weight-bearing exercises and does not appear to have had any serious complications or fractions from the disease.
Sally Field's mother died on her birthday
Sally Field was dealt a devastating blow when she lost her mother, Margaret Field. The death was particularly crushing for Sally, as it occurred on November 6, 2011, which was her birthday. Margaret held her own career in Hollywood, starring in the 1951 sci-fi movie "The Man From Planet X." This seemingly prompted her daughter to follow in her footsteps, which resulted in a nearly 60-year career in the entertainment industry.
Sally cared for her mother in the months leading up to her death after a six-year cancer battle. The star was reportedly so affected by the death of her mother that insiders were reportedly concerned about her mental health. "She's almost inconsolable, and with her history with anxiety, it seems as if everyone's afraid she may do something desperate just to deaden her emotional pain," a family friend told the National Enquirer in November 2011, adding, "Her mom meant everything to her."
Field mourned the loss of friend Robin Williams for years after his death
Sally Field lost another dear person in her life, fellow "Mrs. Doubtfire" star Robin Williams. The adored comedian passed away on August 11, 2014, from suicide following a grim Parkinson's diagnosis. His death shocked the world, with Field, like many others, expressing her grief multiple times.
Just one day after his death, Field spoke with Entertainment Tonight, "I'm sad for Robin. He always lit up when he was able to make people laugh, and he made them laugh his whole life long ... tirelessly. He was one of a kind. There will not be another. Please, God, let him now rest in peace" (via Just Jared). In February 2023, Field once again detailed her grief over his death in a brief chat with People ahead of the SAG Awards, stating, "He should be growing old like me, for God's sakes. I hate it that he isn't here." Even after losing yet another important person in her life, the "Spider-Man" actor has continued to be a light for all who encounter her.