Unspoken Love: Burt Reynolds’ Long Estrangement from Beloved Actress Sally Field

The passing of Burt Reynolds in 2018 left a void felt by millions worldwide. This esteemed actor succumbed after a prolonged battle with various health ailments.

Burt Reynolds left behind a remarkable legacy, with cherished memories that his former colleagues and friends hold dear. One particularly poignant reflection came from Sally Field, who had been romantically involved with him on and off.

While Sally, now 76, maintained a largely private stance on their relationship over the past few decades, she finally chose to speak out following Burt’s passing.

Reynolds had once declared that amidst various fleeting relationships, there was only one true love in his life. He openly acknowledged Sally Field, a prominent Hollywood figure, as the woman who would forever occupy a special place in his heart, as revealed in a candid interview with Vanity Fair.

Their romantic journey began when Reynolds fought to cast Field in “Smokey and the Bandit,” despite initial resistance from filmmakers who deemed her not “sexy enough.” Burt, however, championed her, and ultimately, Field secured the role.

The famous duo, seemingly perfect together, shared the screen in films like “Hooper” and “The End” in 1978. Field initially cherished her time with Burt, feeling that he made her feel irresistibly appealing and that she wanted to fulfill his every desire.

During their nearly five years of intermittent dating, the media closely monitored their every move. However, in 1980, they chose to part ways. Regrettably, their fairy-tale romance proved more intricate than it appeared to the public.

In her autobiography, Sally Field described how the charismatic, award-winning actor exerted tight control over her. She revealed, “By the time we met, the weight of his stardom had become a way for Burt to control everyone around him, and from the moment I walked through the door, it was a way to control me. We were a perfect match of flaws.” She added that she felt as though she had committed to a soul-binding pact with him from some distant past.

What initially promised to be a beautiful love story evolved into Sally’s worst nightmare. She articulated, “What happened is that I stopped existing. I dressed for him, looked for him, walked for him. He asked me to marry him many times, [but] I knew his heart wasn’t in it. We’d have ended up just feeling terrible.”

Following their separation, both actors moved on to new relationships. However, Burt never forgot Sally Fields and acknowledged that he likely bore responsibility for their breakup, stating, “I miss her terribly. Even now, it’s hard on me. I don’t know why I was so stupid. Men are like that, you know. You find the perfect person, and then you do everything you can to screw it up.”

For over 40 years, he kept his remorse private, and in the final years of Burt’s life, Sally cut off all communication with him. She had no intention of rekindling their love. While the exact reasons for their split remain undisclosed, there were rumors of Burt having an affair with Fields. These reports deeply embarrassed Sally and left her feeling foolish.

However, following Burt’s passing, Sally Fields chose to break her silence and admit something that might have unsettled him. She expressed, “There are times in your life that are so indelible, they never fade away. They stay alive, even forty years later. My years with Burt never leave my mind. He will be in my history and my heart, for as long as I live. Rest, Buddy.”

Burt Reynolds, the renowned actor who passed away at the age of 82 in 2018 due to a heart attack, left a lasting impact on Sally Fields, now 76. In an NPR interview, Sally candidly shared her deep affection for Burt and the significance of their relationship in her life. She also expressed relief that Burt passed away before she published her memoir, which contained portions that might not have sat well with him.

Sally Fields and Burt Reynolds were given a second chance in their unique relationship through her reflections. No matter where he is today, it’s our hope that he knows she still harbors affection for him.