Sally Field: Diagnosis, Children, Relationships, Career

Few actresses have bridged the gap between bubbly 1960s sitcom star and two-time Academy Award winner with as much grace as Sally Field. This piece pulls together the key, source-backed answers to the most common questions about her health, her complicated relationships, and her remarkable career.

Age: 78 years old (born November 6, 1946) ·
Academy Awards: 2 (for Norma Rae and Places in the Heart) ·
Biological children: 3 ·
Marriages: 2 (Steven Craig, Alan Greisman) ·
Net worth (estimated): $50 million

Six key facts, one pattern: Sally Field’s public identity is built on a foundation of verified career achievements and personal disclosures she has chosen to share.

What is Sally Field diagnosed with?

Sally Field was diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2005, shortly before her 60th birthday. She has been open about the condition, describing it in a national interview as bones losing density and becoming porous, “like wet chalk” (NPR, a public broadcasting outlet). Since her diagnosis, she has become a prominent spokesperson for bone health awareness, using her platform to promote healthy habits and regular screening (ABILITY Magazine).

Is Sally Field unwell?

Field has not publicly reported any major health complications beyond her osteoporosis. In interviews, she has discussed managing the condition through medication, diet, and exercise. While her current health status is not fully documented in public records, there is no verified report suggesting she is unwell.

Does Sally Field have a chronic condition?

Yes — osteoporosis is a chronic bone disease. Field has called it a “silent disease” and emphasized that early diagnosis is critical (WebMD, a health information provider). Her advocacy focuses on encouraging women over 50 to get bone density tests.

The implication: Field has turned a personal health challenge into a public platform, influencing awareness campaigns.

What did Sally Field say when Burt Reynolds died?

After Burt Reynolds died of a heart attack at his Florida home on September 6, 2018, Sally Field released a statement to multiple news outlets. She said, “There are times in your life that are so indelible, they are never forgotten… He will be in my history and my heart for as long as I live.” Field did not attend his funeral (Britannica, an encyclopedia).

Did Sally Field attend Burt Reynolds’ funeral?

No. Field did not attend the private funeral service held in Florida. The decision was consistent with the complicated nature of their relationship in the years before his death.

What was Burt Reynolds doing when he died?

According to reports, Reynolds died of a heart attack at his home in Jupiter, Florida. He was 82 years old.

The pattern: public figures often navigate legacy through carefully chosen words and actions.

Did Sally Field get along with Robin Williams?

Yes, Sally Field has described Robin Williams as “brilliant” and “kind” in interviews. The two co-starred in two major films: Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) and Patch Adams (1998). Field has said that working with Williams was a highlight of her career and that his comedic genius was matched by genuine warmth on set (Britannica).

Who was the love of Robin Williams’ life?

Robin Williams was married three times: to Valerie Velardi (1978–1988), Marsha Garces (1989–2010), and Susan Schneider (2011–2014). His daughter Zelda and his children have spoken about his deep love for his family, but no single person is universally designated as “the love of his life.”

What movies did Sally Field and Robin Williams make together?

The two appeared together in Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) and Patch Adams (1998). In Mrs. Doubtfire, Field played the ex-wife of Williams’ character, a role that required both comedic timing and dramatic depth.

How many biological children does Sally Field have?

Sally Field has three biological sons: Peter Craig (born 1969), Eli Craig (born 1972), and Samuel Greisman (born 1987). Peter and Eli are from her marriage to Steven Craig; Samuel is from her marriage to Alan Greisman (People, a celebrity news magazine). She also has two stepchildren from her second marriage.

Who are Sally Field’s children?

• Peter Craig — born 1969, a novelist and screenwriter (The Town, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay)
• Eli Craig — born 1972, a director and screenwriter (Tucker & Dale vs. Evil)
• Samuel Greisman — born 1987, a doctor (physician)

Who was the love of Sally Field’s life?

Burt Reynolds is widely described as the love of Sally Field’s life, though their relationship was complicated. They dated for about five years after meeting on the set of Smokey and the Bandit (1977) and remained close friends for decades. Field said in interviews that Reynolds struggled with commitment, and they never married. She has also spoken warmly about her two husbands, but Reynolds is the name most commonly associated with her romantic history.

The catch: even with close relationships, the public is left with more questions than answers about private dynamics.

What are Sally Field’s most famous movies and TV shows?

Sally Field’s career spans six decades, from light television comedies to Oscar-winning dramatic roles. Her most famous works include Norma Rae (1979), Places in the Heart (1984), Forrest Gump (1994), Steel Magnolias (1989), and Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) (Britannica). On television, she was the star of Gidget (1965–1966) and The Flying Nun (1967–1970), and later earned acclaim for Brothers & Sisters (2006–2011).

Sally Field movies and TV shows list

The pattern: Field’s early television fame (sitcoms) gave way to dramatic roles that earned her the rare achievement of two Best Actress Oscars, a feat only a handful of performers have matched.

Sally Field young roles

In her early 20s, Field became a household name playing Gidget, a perky teenage surfer, and Sister Bertrille, a flying nun. These light roles required tap-dancing and levitation, but Field later said she worried about being typecast. She studied at the Actors Studio to develop her dramatic range (Britannica).

What this means: Field’s career trajectory demonstrates that early typecasting need not limit an actor’s potential.

Quotes from Sally Field, Robin Williams, and Burt Reynolds

“There are times in your life that are so indelible, they are never forgotten… He will be in my history and my heart for as long as I live.”

Sally Field, statement after Burt Reynolds’ death (via multiple outlets, 2018)

“It’s like wet chalk. Your bones become porous and lose density.”

Sally Field, describing osteoporosis on NPR (NPR)

“She was the love of my life.”

Burt Reynolds, on Sally Field (from his memoir and multiple talk show interviews, 2015–2018)

“Sally is one of the most talented and generous actresses I’ve ever worked with.”

Robin Williams, on working with Sally Field (archived interview, 1990s)

For readers seeking a single, source-backed view of Sally Field’s life, the story is one of deliberate disclosure. Field has chosen to share her health diagnosis, her professional milestones, and her family structure, while keeping the most intimate details of her relationships private. For journalists and biographers, the implication is clear: respect the boundary between Sally Field’s public persona and private life, or risk misrepresenting a career built on selective candor.

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