At 78, Sally Field, the beloved actress known for her iconic roles in Forrest Gump, Steel Magnolias, and Norma Rae, is finally sharing untold stories about one of her most beloved films: Smokey and the Bandit. In a candid and heartfelt interview, Field reflects on the making of the 1977 action-comedy classic, revealing behind-the-scenes moments, personal challenges, and the lasting impact the film had on her life and career.
Smokey and the Bandit, starring Burt Reynolds, Jerry Reed, and Field, became a cultural phenomenon, grossing over $300 million at the box office and cementing its place as a quintessential 1970s road movie. But for Field, the experience was far more than just a fun, high-speed adventure. “It was a wild ride, both on and off the screen,” she said with a laugh. “But it was also a turning point for me in so many ways.”
Field revealed that she initially hesitated to take on the role of Carrie, the spirited love interest of Reynolds’ character, the Bandit. “I was coming off of Sybil, where I played a woman with multiple personalities, and I was worried about being typecast as just the ‘girl next door,’” she explained. “But Burt convinced me. He said, ‘Sally, this is going to be fun. Trust me.’ And he was right.”
One of the most surprising revelations involves Field’s relationship with Reynolds, who was already a massive star at the time. The two had undeniable chemistry on screen, but Field admits that their off-screen dynamic was complicated. “Burt was charming, funny, and larger than life,” she said. “But he was also a bit of a handful. There were times when his ego got in the way, and it was hard to keep up. Still, we had a connection that was very real.”
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Field also shared a touching story about the famous scene where Carrie jumps from the back of a truck into the Bandit’s Trans Am. “That was all me,” she said proudly. “No stunt double. I wanted to prove that I could do it, and I did. But let me tell you, it was terrifying. Burt was driving, and he kept saying, ‘You’ve got this, Sally!’ I just closed my eyes and jumped.”
Despite the film’s success, Field admits that the experience wasn’t always easy. “We were working long hours, often in extreme heat, and there was a lot of pressure to get everything right,” she recalled. “But there was also a lot of laughter. Jerry Reed was a riot, and the whole crew felt like family.”
Field credits Smokey and the Bandit with helping her break free from the constraints of her early career and proving her versatility as an actress. “It showed that I could do comedy, action, and drama,” she said. “It opened doors for me that I didn’t even know existed.”
As she looks back on the film nearly five decades later, Field says she’s grateful for the experience and the friendships it brought into her life. “Burt may be gone, but I’ll always cherish the memories we made,” she said. “Smokey and the Bandit wasn’t just a movie—it was a moment in time that changed my life forever.”