Sally Field’s Worst On-Screen Kiss Had a Surprisingly Personal Connection
What happens when Hollywood’s most charming romance turns out to have a very different story behind the scenes? Sally Field gave fans an unexpected answer when she was asked to name her least favorite on-screen kissing partner—and the name she revealed was someone she once loved in real life.
During a December 2022 appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Field was asked about her worst screen kiss. She paused before answering, seemingly aware that naming the person could stir up old memories.
Then she said it: Burt Reynolds.
Field explained that the experience was anything but romantic, joking that there had been far too much “drooling.” Andy Cohen was visibly surprised—not only because Reynolds was one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, but because Field and Reynolds had once been one of the industry’s most famous couples.
Their romance began after meeting on the set of Smokey and the Bandit in 1977. Their chemistry became part of Hollywood legend, and the two went on to date for roughly five years.
But behind the glamorous image was a much more complicated relationship.
In a 2022 interview with Variety, Field revealed that she and Reynolds had not spoken during the final three decades of his life. Reynolds later expressed regret about their relationship and remembered their time together in a more romantic light.
Field, however, offered a very different perspective.
Her story serves as a powerful reminder that Hollywood chemistry on screen doesn’t always reflect what happens behind the cameras. A romance can look unforgettable to millions of viewers while carrying painful memories for the people who actually lived it.
And sometimes, one seemingly harmless question about a movie kiss can reopen an entire chapter of the past.