Actress Sally Field was the love of Burt Reynolds’ life, but she refused to speak to him in his final 30 years

Actress Sally Field was the love of Burt Reynolds’ life, but she refused to speak to him in his final 30 years

**Sally Field Was the Love of Burt Reynolds’ Life, But She Refused to Speak to Him in His Final 30 Years**

In an emotional and unexpected revelation, the late Hollywood icon Burt Reynolds once spoke candidly about Sally Field being “the love of his life.” Their passionate and tumultuous relationship, which captured the hearts of many fans in the 1970s, ended long before Reynolds’ death in 2018. However, what followed was a painful and complicated separation that lasted for decades, with Field refusing to speak to him for the final 30 years of his life.

Their on-again, off-again romance began during the filming of *Smokey and the Bandit* (1977), and it quickly became one of Hollywood’s most famous and talked-about relationships. The chemistry between the two was undeniable, and they were considered one of the most beloved couples in Hollywood at the time. Despite their intense bond, their relationship was marred by personal and professional struggles, leading to their eventual split in the early 1980s.

**The Love Story: Burt and Sally’s On-Screen and Off-Screen Chemistry**

Burt Reynolds and Sally Field’s connection was undeniable, both on-screen and off-screen. The pair starred together in several successful films, including *Smokey and the Bandit*, *The End*, and *Hooper*. Their chemistry was magnetic, with Reynolds often openly declaring how much he admired and cared for Field.

Reynolds, in interviews throughout his career, repeatedly described Field as “the love of his life,” acknowledging the deep emotional connection they shared during their time together. In his memoir, *But Enough About Me*, Reynolds wrote about his deep affection for Field, calling her “a beautiful woman and an extraordinary person.” He also reflected on how their relationship had meant so much to him, especially in the prime years of his career.

But despite the love that seemed to thrive during their time together, their relationship was filled with difficulties that ultimately led to their breakup. Reynolds admitted that his own struggles with fame, alcoholism, and complicated personal issues put a strain on their relationship. Field, too, was facing her own challenges, as she was beginning to make a name for herself in Hollywood, eventually becoming a powerhouse actress.

**The Breakup: A Love That Couldn’t Survive**

By the time their relationship ended, the emotional damage was done. Reynolds and Field’s breakup was a painful one, and it appears that neither party truly healed from it. Despite their intense feelings for one another, both struggled with the aftermath of their time together. While Reynolds never stopped talking about Field with fondness and admiration, Field chose a different path, distancing herself emotionally and personally from her former lover.

For Field, the decision to cut Reynolds out of her life was both a personal and professional one. In interviews over the years, she has expressed her complicated feelings about their relationship and their breakup. She acknowledged the deep connection she had with Reynolds but also spoke about the need to move forward with her own life. The public nature of their romance, combined with Reynolds’ well-documented issues with alcohol and his sometimes tumultuous personality, made it difficult for Field to remain in contact with him in any meaningful way.

**The Silence: 30 Years Without Communication**

In the years following their breakup, Reynolds and Field became estranged. Field, by her own admission, refused to speak to him for the last 30 years of his life. The reasons behind the silence between them remain private, but the emotional toll on both was evident. While Reynolds continued to speak affectionately about Field in interviews, Field largely refrained from commenting on their past relationship.

In his later years, Reynolds expressed regret over their estrangement and admitted that he had hoped for reconciliation before his death. He openly lamented the loss of their bond and acknowledged that their time together had been one of the most significant chapters of his life. Reynolds’ public admissions of love and longing for Field were often poignant, highlighting the deep sense of loss he carried with him.

Field, for her part, has been much more reserved about discussing Reynolds, particularly in the years following their breakup. Though she’s always expressed a great deal of respect for him as an actor and as a person, she chose not to re-enter his life after their final separation.

**Reflecting on Their Legacy**

The legacy of Burt Reynolds and Sally Field’s relationship is one of both passion and heartache. Their love story, which was filled with highs and lows, remains one of the most captivating tales of Hollywood romance. Although their relationship ended in silence, it is clear that they both deeply impacted each other’s lives.

In interviews following Reynolds’ passing, many of his close friends and colleagues, including those from his movies with Field, acknowledged the profound connection he had to her. However, the fact that Field chose not to speak to him for three decades reflects the deep emotional scars that were left behind.

While Sally Field has since found success and happiness in her career and personal life, and Reynolds passed away in 2018 after a long and illustrious career, their story serves as a reminder of the complexities of love, loss, and the lasting effects of relationships that never truly close.

**Conclusion: The Lasting Impact of Their Love**

Burt Reynolds’ assertion that Sally Field was the love of his life stands as a testament to the lasting impact she had on him. Despite the painful distance that grew between them in the final years of his life, their connection remains one of the most poignant and unforgettable chapters in Hollywood history.

Field, now looking back at the long years of silence, has not publicly addressed their estrangement in depth, but the emotional weight of their relationship clearly shaped both of their lives. Reynolds’ deep admiration and love for Field never wavered, while Field’s decision to step away was likely one born from years of emotional exhaustion.

Their story is a bittersweet reflection of love, loss, and the passage of time, reminding us that even the most powerful connections can be complicated by the realities of life, fame, and personal challenges.