For more than six decades, Sally Field has been one of Hollywood’s most respected and beloved actresses.
From her early television appearances to her unforgettable Academy Award-winning performances, Field has built a remarkable career alongside some of the biggest names in entertainment.
She’s shared the screen with legendary actors, portrayed unforgettable characters, and participated in some of cinema’s most memorable romantic moments.
But behind the glamorous world of Hollywood movies, not every romantic scene is as magical as audiences might imagine.
And when Field was asked to reveal the worst on-screen kiss of her career, her answer was surprisingly personal.
The actress didn’t name an unfamiliar co-star or someone from a forgotten movie.
Instead, she singled out one of Hollywood’s most famous leading men—a person she had once been romantically involved with in real life.
That man was Burt Reynolds.
And the reason she gave for choosing him was something fans probably never expected to hear.
A Hollywood Career Filled With Unforgettable Performances
Sally Field first became a household name during the 1960s.
Her starring role in the television series Gidget introduced audiences to her youthful charm and natural comedic ability.
She later appeared in The Flying Nun, another popular television show that helped establish her as a recognizable entertainer.
But Field wanted more than to be remembered for lighthearted television roles.
She was determined to prove herself as a serious dramatic actress.
That ambition eventually led to some of the most acclaimed performances of her career.
In 1979, she starred in Norma Rae, portraying a determined textile worker who becomes involved in efforts to improve working conditions.
The role earned Field her first Academy Award for Best Actress.
Five years later, she won another Oscar for her performance in Places in the Heart.
Her success continued through the following decades.
She appeared in beloved films including Steel Magnolias, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Forrest Gump, demonstrating her ability to move effortlessly between comedy and drama.
Her television work also earned widespread recognition, particularly her performance in Brothers & Sisters.
Throughout her career, Field worked alongside some of Hollywood’s most recognizable leading men.
But one romantic co-star left a particularly memorable impression—and not for the reason audiences might assume.
The Romance That Captivated Hollywood
During the late 1970s, Sally Field and Burt Reynolds became one of Hollywood’s most talked-about couples.
Reynolds was already a major movie star.
Known for his charismatic personality, trademark mustache, and confident screen presence, he was among the most popular actors of his generation.
Field, meanwhile, was moving beyond her television image and establishing herself as a leading film actress.
Their paths crossed professionally when they appeared together in the 1977 action-comedy Smokey and the Bandit.
The film became a major box-office success.
Reynolds played Bo Darville, better known as the Bandit, while Field portrayed Carrie, a runaway bride nicknamed Frog.
Their playful chemistry helped make the movie a favorite among audiences.
The relationship didn’t remain confined to the screen.
Field and Reynolds became romantically involved, attracting considerable attention from entertainment reporters and fans.
They went on to work together in other films, including The End and Hooper.
To moviegoers, the pair seemed to represent the perfect Hollywood romance.
They were successful, attractive, and appeared to share an undeniable connection.
But as Field would later reveal, the reality behind their romantic scenes wasn’t always quite so glamorous.
The Unexpected Confession on Andy Cohen’s Show
The surprising revelation came during Field’s appearance on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen in December 2022.
Field was joined by singer and actress Idina Menzel when Cohen asked her a question about her long Hollywood career.
He wanted to know which co-star had given her the worst on-screen kiss.
For an actress who had spent decades working with celebrated leading men, there were plenty of possible answers.
But Field’s response immediately caught everyone’s attention.
She named Burt Reynolds.
Cohen appeared surprised by the answer, particularly because Field and Reynolds had once shared a highly publicized romantic relationship.
Field acknowledged that their real-life history was part of what made the answer complicated.
Nevertheless, she stood by her choice.
When asked what made the experience disappointing, she explained that kissing simply wasn’t something Reynolds did particularly well.
Then she offered an unexpectedly funny detail.
According to Field, there was too much drooling involved.
The remark turned an ordinary celebrity interview into a memorable moment.
Why Her Answer Was So Surprising
For fans familiar with Smokey and the Bandit, Field’s confession was especially unexpected.
The movie had helped establish Reynolds and Field as one of the most recognizable screen couples of the late 1970s.
Their characters exchanged flirtatious remarks and shared romantic moments throughout the film.
Audiences saw two performers whose chemistry appeared effortless.
Because they also became a couple away from the cameras, many assumed their romantic scenes must have been equally enjoyable to film.
Field’s answer challenged that assumption.
It offered a humorous reminder that convincing on-screen chemistry doesn’t necessarily mean every physical moment feels romantic to the actors involved.
A movie can make a kiss appear passionate through acting, camera angles, lighting, and editing.
But the performers may remember the experience very differently.
In Field’s case, the memory of kissing Reynolds apparently wasn’t as flattering as his reputation as a Hollywood heartthrob might suggest.
Sally Field and Burt Reynolds Had a Complicated Relationship
Although Field’s comments were delivered with humor, her history with Reynolds involved much more than a funny anecdote about kissing.
Their relationship lasted several years and became an important chapter in both of their lives.
Reynolds later spoke publicly about his feelings for Field and expressed regret about how their relationship ended.
Field, however, offered a more complicated perspective.
In her 2018 memoir, In Pieces, she reflected on the relationship and described difficult aspects of their time together.
Her account challenged the glamorous image that had surrounded the couple during their years in the public eye.
While audiences often viewed them as a romantic Hollywood pairing, Field’s personal memories included emotional challenges and tensions that were not visible on screen.
Their relationship ultimately ended, and both continued with their respective careers.
Reynolds died in September 2018 at the age of 82.
Years later, Field’s television interview brought renewed attention to their history.
For some viewers, her comments were simply an amusing behind-the-scenes story.
For others, they served as another reminder that the private lives of famous couples can be far more complicated than their public images suggest.
But Who Was Sally Field’s Best On-Screen Kiss?
While Burt Reynolds received the unfortunate distinction of being Field’s least favorite on-screen kissing partner, another legendary actor earned much warmer praise.
That actor was James Garner.
Field starred opposite Garner in the 1985 romantic comedy-drama Murphy’s Romance.
The film tells the story of Emma Moriarty, a divorced mother attempting to build a new life for herself and her son in Arizona.
Garner portrayed Murphy Jones, an older man whose warmth, humor, and steady personality gradually win Emma’s affection.
Unlike the fast-paced action and playful chaos of Smokey and the Bandit, Murphy’s Romance focuses on a quieter, more mature romantic connection.
The relationship between the two characters develops through conversation, mutual respect, and growing emotional closeness.
Field has spoken affectionately about working with Garner and praised his charm and sense of humor.
She has also identified her kiss with Garner in Murphy’s Romance as her favorite on-screen kissing experience.
The contrast between the two actors is particularly amusing.
Reynolds was widely celebrated as a glamorous Hollywood sex symbol.
Garner, meanwhile, was admired for his relaxed confidence, humor, and approachable screen presence.
Yet when it came to kissing scenes, Field’s preference was clear.
Why James Garner Left Such a Positive Impression
James Garner was already a respected Hollywood veteran when he appeared in Murphy’s Romance.
He had built a successful career through television series such as Maverick and The Rockford Files, along with numerous film roles.
His performances often featured an easygoing charm that made his characters feel believable and relatable.
In Murphy’s Romance, those qualities became central to the film’s appeal.
Rather than relying on exaggerated romantic gestures, Garner portrayed a thoughtful man whose affection developed naturally.
Field’s character was independent and cautious about entering another relationship.
The chemistry between the two performers helped make their eventual romance feel convincing.
Garner received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for the film.
Over the years, Murphy’s Romance has remained a favorite among viewers who appreciate understated romantic storytelling.
For Field, the experience also produced a particularly fond memory of working with one of Hollywood’s most admired actors.
The Reality Behind Romantic Movie Scenes
Field’s revelation also highlights something audiences rarely consider.
Filming a romantic scene can be surprisingly awkward.
Moviegoers typically see the finished product.
A kiss appears on screen with flattering lighting, carefully selected camera angles, emotional music, and seamless editing.
The final result may look spontaneous and deeply romantic.
But the filming process is often anything but spontaneous.
Actors may need to repeat the same movement multiple times while the director adjusts camera positions.
They must remember dialogue, maintain continuity, and respond to technical instructions.
Crew members may be standing nearby, monitoring lighting, sound, and camera equipment.
Makeup artists sometimes need to make adjustments between takes.
A scene that lasts only a few seconds in the finished movie can require considerably more time to complete.
These circumstances help explain why actors sometimes have very different memories of romantic scenes than the audiences watching them.
Even performers with strong chemistry may find certain moments uncomfortable or technically difficult.
Field’s comments about Reynolds were a particularly memorable example.
Why Hollywood Fans Love Behind-the-Scenes Confessions
Celebrity interviews often attract attention when performers reveal unexpected details about famous productions.
Audiences enjoy learning what happened away from the cameras.
A funny story about a difficult scene can change the way viewers remember a beloved movie.
An actor’s personal recollection may reveal that an apparently effortless performance required significant work.
Sometimes, those stories also challenge assumptions about famous relationships.
Field’s remarks about Reynolds combined all three elements.
They involved a major Hollywood star, a famous real-life romance, and an amusing detail that contrasted sharply with Reynolds’ confident public image.
The confession also demonstrated Field’s willingness to speak openly about her experiences.
Rather than offering a carefully polished answer, she shared a memory that was funny, personal, and unexpected.
That candor has long been part of her appeal.
Sally Field Has Never Been Afraid to Speak Her Mind
Throughout her career, Field has earned admiration not only for her acting but also for her directness.
She has spoken openly about the challenges of being a woman in Hollywood, her professional ambitions, and her personal experiences.
Her memoir offered readers a deeper look at her life beyond the characters she portrayed.
It explored family relationships, professional struggles, and the complicated experiences that shaped her identity.
That willingness to discuss difficult subjects has helped audiences see her as more than a celebrated actress.
She is also someone who has reflected carefully on her past and chosen to tell her story in her own words.
Her comments about Reynolds fit within that broader pattern.
Although the kissing anecdote was lighthearted, it also reflected her refusal to preserve an idealized version of a relationship simply because the public once found it romantic.
A Different Way to Remember Two Classic Films
For longtime fans, Field’s confession may add an unexpected layer to future viewings of Smokey and the Bandit.
The film remains a popular example of 1970s action-comedy entertainment.
Its car chases, humor, and playful performances helped make it a commercial success.
The chemistry between Reynolds and Field remains one of its defining features.
But viewers now know that Field’s personal memories of their romantic scenes were not entirely positive.
Meanwhile, Murphy’s Romance takes on a different significance.
The film’s gentle romantic moments apparently left Field with a much happier impression.
It is a reminder that the most memorable on-screen romance isn’t always the loudest or most glamorous.
Sometimes, subtle chemistry and a comfortable working relationship can leave the strongest impression.
Final Thoughts
Sally Field has spent more than sixty years entertaining audiences through television and film.
Her career includes two Academy Awards, numerous acclaimed performances, and collaborations with some of Hollywood’s greatest actors.
Yet one of her most entertaining revelations came from a simple question about kissing scenes.
When asked to identify her worst on-screen kiss, Field surprised viewers by naming Burt Reynolds, her former romantic partner and co-star in Smokey and the Bandit.
Her humorous explanation involving excessive drooling offered a very different picture from the glamorous romance audiences remembered.
And when discussing her favorite on-screen kiss, she pointed instead to James Garner in Murphy’s Romance.
The contrast provides a delightful glimpse behind Hollywood’s carefully crafted romantic moments.
It also reminds audiences that what looks perfect on screen may feel entirely different to the people performing it.
Burt Reynolds may have been one of Hollywood’s biggest heartthrobs, but according to Sally Field, when it came to kissing on camera, James Garner was the man who truly impressed her.