The legendary actor left behind an immense legacy, including countless fond memories cherished by former co-stars and friends.
The loss of Burt Reynolds in 2018 was felt by millions of people around the world. The renowned actor died after a protracted battle with various health problems.
The actor left behind a huge legacy, including many precious memories that former teammates and friends now cherish. The most touching comment came from Sally Field, a friend who was traveling with him.
Sally, who recently turned 76, may have kept quiet about their relationship in recent decades, but since Burt’s death, she’s started talking.
Reynolds claimed that although he had several flings, he only had one true love. In a surprisingly candid interview with Vanity Fair, he explained how Hollywood celebrity Sally Fields was the lady he will remember for the rest of his days.
They met on the set of Smokey and the Bandit in 1977.
Field and Reynolds fell deeply in love, and Reynolds later admitted that he was the one who fought to bring Field on board for Smokey and the Bandit. However, the directors were not persuaded and did not consider the actress “sexy enough”. However, Burt defended the actress and Fields eventually got the part.
it gave me the impression that I was seductive and I wanted to fulfill all his wishes.
The famous couple, who seemed to be a match made in heaven, went on to work together on films, including Hooper and The End in 1978. Fields initially had a great time with Burt. She claimed he made her “feel like I was hot” and that she wanted to be everything he “ever wanted”.
During the nearly five years that Burt and Sally dated on and off, the media followed every move the couple made. However, in 1980 they decided to part ways. Unfortunately, the storybook romance didn’t last and turned out to be a lot more complicated than most people thought.
In her autobiography, Sally described how tightly the charismatic, award-winning actor controlled his partner.
“By the time we met, Burt had used the pressure of his fame to control everyone around him, including me, from the moment I walked in the door. In her autobiography, In Pieces, Sally Fields wrote, ‘We were a great mix of defectives.’
As if I had made a commitment to this man in the past, “I fell blindly into the ruts that had long since formed on my path.”
What should have been the beginning of a historic love story and something beautiful turned into Sally’s worst nightmare.
“I ceased to exist, that’s what happened. I prepared for him, I walked like him and looked like him. He repeatedly begged me to marry him, but I knew his heart wasn’t in it,” she said. “We’d end up feeling terrible.”
Both actors have moved on and started dating new people after their relationship broke up. But Burt never forgot about Sally Fields and recognized that he probably had himself to blame for the consequences.
I really miss him,” he noted. “It hurts even now. I’m not sure why I was such a jerk. You know, men are just like that. When you find the ideal candidate, you go out of your way to ruin things.
For more than 40 years, the actor kept his remorse to himself, and during the last years of Burt’s life, Sally cut off all communication with him. In fact, the Steel Magnolia actress hadn’t spoken to him in years and had no interest in rekindling their romance.
Although the actual reason for the split was never made public, there were rumors that Burt had an affair with Fields. When the accusation came out, Sally was quite uncomfortable and felt stupid.
But after his death, Fields decided to step up and admit that it would most likely upset Burt.
According to the testimony, she said: “There are moments in life that are so imprinted, they never go away. Even after 40 years, they still exist. I will always remember the time I spent with Burt. As long as I live, he will be a part of my past and my heart. Buddy, go to sleep.”
The famous actor, who was 82, reportedly died of a heart attack in 2018 with his family by his side.
Sally, now 76, gave more details about her true affection for Burt and their relationship with NPR.
He was a very important part of my life, but only for a very small part of it. I always thought of him with a certain amount of nostalgia. I only dated him for about three years and then we were only together for maybe two more years. But it was so fundamental to my own existence and personal development.
Sally added that she was relieved Burt died before she could publish her memoir. Burt would not have enjoyed some parts of the book, the actress claimed.
For example, she said she was “confused, complicated, and hurtful” about her previous romantic interest.
I was relieved that he wouldn’t read it, he wouldn’t ask about it, he wouldn’t be forced to defend himself or lash out, which he surely would, she added.
Their love story remains a bittersweet tale of passion, love, and vulnerability. It shows that even in the glitzy world of Hollywood, where fame and stardom reign, relationships can be fraught with complexities and challenges. Burt and Sally’s romance has been a journey of ups and downs, full of intense emotions and strong connections.
Ultimately, Burt Reynolds left a legacy that goes beyond the silver screen. It reminded us of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we share with loved ones. Sally’s memories of Burt served as a touching tribute to their time together and the profound impact they had on each other’s lives.