Sally Field

Sally Field

From Talking Pictures by TCM and HBO Max

June 11, 2026 · 1h 7m

About this episode

Oscar-winning actress Sally Field discusses her career and personal life with host Ben Mankiewicz.

Oscar-winning actress Sally Field gets real with Ben Mankiewicz. Drawing on her memoir In Pieces, she discusses her fraught relationship with ex-boyfriend/Smokey and the Bandit co-star Burt Reynolds and his similarity to her abusive step-father. During The Flying Nun she was introduced to the Actors Studio where she transformed from a sitcom actress Hollywood had written off into someone who could fight for Norma Rae, fight Spielberg twice for Lincoln, and win both battles. In the Super 8 she praises the work of Louise Fletcher in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and reveals she rarely cries at movies. Films Mentioned: Remarkably Bright Creatures Smokey and the Bandit Sybil Norma Rae The Way West Places in the Heart Lincoln Gone with the Wind Them! The Searchers One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Charade Steamboat Bill, Jr. The Enchanted Cottage A Letter to Three Wives Hooper Absence of Malice Steel Magnolias Forrest Gump Hud Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Ben Mankiewicz

Guest: Sally Field

Topics covered

  • Sally Field
  • acting career
  • Hollywood
  • memoir
  • film analysis
  • personal relationships

Keywords

  • Sally Field
  • Burt Reynolds
  • In Pieces
  • Norma Rae
  • Lincoln
  • One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
  • Hollywood
  • memoir
  • acting

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: In Pieces, Norma Rae, Lincoln, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Smokey and the Bandit, The Flying Nun, Remarkably Bright Creatures, Sybil, The Way West, Places in the Heart

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