Being a woman in Hollywood is challenging, but Sally Field has decided to disregard the majority of the “rules” that have been established.
We adore her roles in movies like Steel Magnolias, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Forrest Gump. However, her personal commitment to combating ageism and bullying in her career is some of our favorite work from her, rather than what we see on film.
Field is still dealing with criticism over her appearance, yet at 78, she still radiates the same brilliance that she did at 19.
Childhood and work
According to The New York Times, Field faced difficulties in her early years, primarily as a result of the sexual abuse she endured at the hands of her stepfather, Jock Mahoney, which she disclosed in her 2018 memoir.
Her first acting job was in the popular 1960s sitcom Gidget, which catapulted her to fame and led to more serious roles in films like Norma Rae (for which she won an Academy Award) and Sybil.
Field gained recognition throughout the years for her portrayal of strong mothers in popular films such as Not Without My Daughter and Soap Dish.
She remembered, “I was really depressed, so the woman I worked with, a great actress, on The Flying Nun, grabbed me to the back of the sound stage and put a piece of paper in my hand.”
Naturally aging
Field has been outspoken about aging gracefully, stating in a 2016 Good Housekeeping interview that she has come to terms with her role as a “old woman.” Field stated in the interview that she has decided to age organically, particularly since aging is unavoidable.
The gifted actress understood the value of accepting and loving her current appearance rather than making an excessive effort to mimic her former appearance through plastic surgery.
“I think, ‘Oh, I wish that weren’t happening to my neck,’ when I see myself on TV.” “And your eyes are so puffy, and your face is falling,” Field said.
Dealing with health problems and online bullies
However, Field’s decision to age naturally has regrettably exposed her to abuse from cruel online trolls, who have referred to her as “ugly.”
Indeed, these trolls denigrated her appearance and made terrible remarks about it on X, the platform that was formerly known as Twitter. Unfortunately, most celebrities make similar remarks on a regular basis, even if they shouldn’t.
Field has recently dismissed the remarks, stating that she still wishes to age organically, regardless of what others may think of her.
The actress has also been coping with osteoporosis, a condition she was diagnosed with prior to turning 60 in 2005 but seldom ever discusses.
Unfortunately, the hormonal changes that women experience throughout menopause make them more vulnerable to this terrible disease, which can result in a loss of bone density. Field told WebMD that she could not avoid the diagnosis no matter what she did, including leading a healthy lifestyle and working out frequently.
“I’ve always known that I’m a risk. I was Caucasian, small-boned, slender, and approaching sixty. However, Field was astounded by how rapidly a woman might progress from being at risk to having osteoporosis.
“I couldn’t see or feel any symptoms, but my bones seemed to be steadily thinning.”
It’s unfortunate to watch Field being harassed online, particularly by strangers, given her struggle with osteoporosis. Her dedication to aging well, however, serves as motivation for those who decide to follow suit.
If you enjoy Sally Field, you might want to learn more about her connection with Burt Reynolds and the reasons behind her silence over his last 30 years.
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