---
name: "Sally Field"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/sally-field"
fi1m_id: "sally-field"
imdb_id: "nm0000398"
tmdb_id: 35
wikidata_id: "Q187033"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "6 November 1946"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 12
average_fi1m_score: 70
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 11
updated: "2026-10-05T13:12:17.013017+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Sally Field

## Identity

Sally Field

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/sally-field
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** sally-field
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000398
- **TMDB ID:** 35
- **Wikidata ID:** Q187033
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sally_Field, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q187033, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000398/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/35

Actor. Born 6 November 1946 in Pasadena, California, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 6 November 1946, Pasadena, California, USA
- **Active:** 1979–present
- **Also known as:** Sally Margaret Field
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 12: 11 acting, 1 producing
- **Frequently works with:** [Andrew Garfield](https://film.one/person/andrew-garfield.md), [Avi Arad](https://film.one/person/avi-arad.md), [Emma Stone](https://film.one/person/emma-stone.md), [Marc Webb](https://film.one/person/marc-webb.md), [Matt Tolmach](https://film.one/person/matt-tolmach.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 2 Oscars (2 won · 1 nominated)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 70, as actor, over 11 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 82 (1), 1980s 66 (4), 1990s 66 (4), 2010s 67 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 70 to 65 across 7 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 5 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 6 of 10 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 7, Comedy 5, Action 3, Adventure 2, Family 2, Romance 2
- **Screen time:** 21 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $3,129m across 10 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sally_Field, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q187033, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000398/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/35

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Mrs. Doubtfire*](https://film.one/film/mrs-doubtfire.md) (74), [*The Amazing Spider-Man*](https://film.one/film/the-amazing-spider-man.md) (64), [*The Amazing Spider-Man 2*](https://film.one/film/the-amazing-spider-man-2.md) (54)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Places in the Heart*](https://film.one/film/places-in-the-heart.md) (80), [*Absence of Malice*](https://film.one/film/absence-of-malice.md) (73)
- **Netflix:** [*Steel Magnolias*](https://film.one/film/steel-magnolias.md) (67)
- **Apple TV:** [*Forrest Gump*](https://film.one/film/forrest-gump.md) (66)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Sally Field

> Sally Field gives women in family stories needs that cannot be laughed away. We value her ability to keep a character’s unhappiness credible beside a comic performance, although the films around her can lean too heavily on sentiment.

In *Mrs. Doubtfire* (1993), Sally Field lets Miranda Hillard’s unhappiness remain serious amid the farce. She does not mark time between jokes; she makes the separation something the comedy has to reckon with. We were more moved than we expected because Field makes Miranda’s distress feel like a problem that needs addressing, not an obstacle to somebody else’s fun. It is an especially useful kind of acting in a farce: we can enjoy the disguise without forgetting why the family is in trouble.

That ability took time to become the centre of her work. The television comedies *Gidget* (1965–66) and *The Flying Nun* (1967–70) established a perky image that restricted the parts available to her. The television film *Sybil* (1976) marked the move into drama, followed by the film breakthroughs of *Norma Rae* (1979) and *Places in the Heart* (1984). Those leading roles gave her room for the determination and emotional conviction that also make her useful when she has less of the story to herself.

*Forrest Gump* (1994) gives her another maternal role, as Mrs. Gump, the title character’s determined mother. Our reservations there concern the film: it runs too long and offers reassurance where its account of American history needs more scrutiny. We prefer *Mrs. Doubtfire*, despite its excessive sentiment and need for trimming, because Field gives its family trouble a weight that survives the invitations to laugh.

Her later ensemble work includes *Lincoln* (2012), as Mary Todd Lincoln, bringing vulnerability alongside strength. Calling Field’s characters determined is fair, but it can understate how much attention she gives their unhappiness. Miranda is persuasive because Field does not hurry past that unhappiness to accommodate the comedy. Choose *Mrs. Doubtfire* for the laughs, but give Miranda a hearing.

## Biography

Sally Margaret Field is an American actress. She was born on 6 November 1946 in Pasadena, California.

Field began her career in television, appearing in the series Gidget (1965–1966) and The Flying Nun (1967–1970). She received critical acclaim for the television film Sybil (1976). Her film roles include Norma Rae (1979) and Places in the Heart (1984), for both of which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress.

She played Miranda Hillard in Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) and Mrs. Gump in Forrest Gump (1994). Later credits include recurring roles in ER and Brothers & Sisters, for which she received Primetime Emmy Awards, and the film Lincoln (2012).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (12)

### Performed in (11) — the average rests on these

- *The Amazing Spider-Man 2* (2014), Fi1m 54, as Aunt May — [page](https://film.one/film/the-amazing-spider-man-2.md)
- *Lincoln* (2012), Fi1m 82, as Mary Todd Lincoln — [page](https://film.one/film/lincoln.md)
- *The Amazing Spider-Man* (2012), Fi1m 64, as Aunt May — [page](https://film.one/film/the-amazing-spider-man.md)
- *King of the Hill* (1997), Fi1m 82, as Junie Harper (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/king-of-the-hill-1997.md)
- *Forrest Gump* (1994), Fi1m 66, as Mrs. Gump — [page](https://film.one/film/forrest-gump.md)
- *Mrs. Doubtfire* (1993), Fi1m 74, as Miranda Hillard — [page](https://film.one/film/mrs-doubtfire.md)
- *Steel Magnolias* (1989), Fi1m 67, as M'Lynn Eatenton — [page](https://film.one/film/steel-magnolias.md)
- *Places in the Heart* (1984), Fi1m 80, as Edna Spalding — [page](https://film.one/film/places-in-the-heart.md)
- *Absence of Malice* (1981), Fi1m 73, as Megan Carter — [page](https://film.one/film/absence-of-malice.md)
- *Smokey and the Bandit II* (1980), Fi1m 44, as Carrie — [page](https://film.one/film/smokey-and-the-bandit-ii.md)
- *Norma Rae* (1979), Fi1m 82, as Norma Rae — [page](https://film.one/film/norma-rae.md)

### Produced (1)

- *Dying Young* (1991), Fi1m 40, Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/dying-young.md)

## Complete filmography (77)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Remarkably Bright Creatures* (2026), as Tova Sullivan
- *80 for Brady* (2023), as Betty
- *Spoiler Alert* (2022), as Marilyn
- *Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty* (2022), series, as Jessie Buss
- *Love Letters* (2020), as Melissa Gardner
- *Dispatches from Elsewhere* (2020), series, as Janice
- *National Theatre Live: All My Sons* (2019), as Kate Keller
- *Maniac* (2018), series, as Dr. Greta Mantleray
- *Little Evil* (2017), as Miss Shaylock
- *Hello, My Name Is Doris* (2015), as Doris Miller
- *The Amazing Spider-Man 2* (2014), as Aunt May — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/the-amazing-spider-man-2.md)
- *Lincoln* (2012), as Mary Todd Lincoln — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/lincoln.md)
- *The Amazing Spider-Man* (2012), as Aunt May — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/the-amazing-spider-man.md)
- *The Desert of Forbidden Art* (2011), as Voice
- *Accidental Icon: The Real Gidget Story* (2010), Actor
- *The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning* (2008), as Marina Del Ray (voice)
- *Two Weeks* (2006), as Anita Bergman
- *Brothers and Sisters* (2006), series, as Nora Walker
- *Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde* (2003), as Victoria Rudd
- *The Court* (2002), series, as Justice Kate Nolan
- *David Copperfield* (2001), as Betsey Trotwood
- *Say It Isn't So* (2001), as Valdine Wingfield
- *David Copperfield* (2000), series, as Betsey Trotwood
- *Beautiful* (2000), Director
- *Where the Heart Is* (2000), as Mama Lil
- *Saturday Night Live: Christmas* (1999), as Mom (archive footage)
- *A Cooler Climate* (1999), as Iris
- *From the Earth to the Moon* (1998), series, as Trudy Cooper · Director
- *Merry Christmas, George Bailey* (1997), as Mrs. Bailey / Narrator
- *Eye of God* (1997), Thanks
- *King of the Hill* (1997), series, as Junie Harper (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/king-of-the-hill-1997.md)
- *The Christmas Tree* (1996), Director, Teleplay, Executive Producer
- *Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco* (1996), as Sassy (voice)
- *Eye for an Eye* (1996), as Karen McCann
- *A Woman of Independent Means* (1995), series, as Bess Alcott Steed Garner · Executive Producer
- *ER* (1994), series, as Maggie Wyczenski — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md)
- *Forrest Gump* (1994), as Mrs. Gump — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/forrest-gump.md)
- *Mrs. Doubtfire* (1993), as Miranda Hillard — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/mrs-doubtfire.md)
- *Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey* (1993), as Sassy (voice)
- *The Larry Sanders Show* (1992), series, as Sally Field — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-larry-sanders-show.md)
- *Dying Young* (1991), Producer — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/dying-young.md)
- *Soapdish* (1991), as Celeste Talbert
- *Not Without My Daughter* (1991), as Betty Mahmoody
- *Steel Magnolias* (1989), as M'Lynn Eatenton — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/steel-magnolias.md)
- *Punchline* (1988), as Lilah Krytsick
- *Surrender* (1987), as Daisy Morgan
- *Murphy's Romance* (1985), as Emma Moriarty
- *Places in the Heart* (1984), as Edna Spalding — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/places-in-the-heart.md)
- *Kiss Me Goodbye* (1982), as Kay
- *Lily for President?* (1982), as Beth Barber
- *All the Way Home* (1981), as Mary Follet
- *Absence of Malice* (1981), as Megan Carter — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/absence-of-malice.md)
- *Back Roads* (1981), as Amy Post
- *Smokey and the Bandit II* (1980), as Carrie — Fi1m 44, [page](https://film.one/film/smokey-and-the-bandit-ii.md)
- *Beyond the Poseidon Adventure* (1979), as Celeste Whitman
- *Norma Rae* (1979), as Norma Rae — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/norma-rae.md)
- *Hooper* (1978), as Gwen Doyle
- *The End* (1978), as Mary Ellen
- *Heroes* (1977), as Carol Bell
- *Smokey and the Bandit* (1977), as Carrie
- *Sybil* (1976), series, as Sybil
- *Bridger* (1976), as Jennifer Melford
- *Stay Hungry* (1976), as Mary Tate Farnsworth
- *Home for the Holidays* (1974), as Christine Morgan
- *The Girl with Something Extra* (1973), series, as Sally Burton
- *Hitched* (1973), as Roselle Bridgeman
- *Mongo's Back in Town* (1971), as Vikki
- *Marriage: Year One* (1971), as Jane Duden
- *Maybe I'll Come Home in the Spring* (1971), as Denise "Dennie" Miller
- *Alias Smith and Jones* (1971), series, Actor
- *Night Gallery* (1970), series, as Irene Evans
- *The Flying Nun* (1967), series, as Sister Bertrille
- *The Way West* (1967), as Mercy McBee
- *Occasional Wife* (1966), series, Actor
- *The Dating Game* (1965), series, as Sally Field
- *Gidget* (1965), series, as Frances Elizabeth 'Gidget' Lawrence
- *Moon Pilot* (1962), as Beatnik Girl in Lineup (uncredited)

## Gallery

- ![Sally Field](https://film.one/media/person/83171/gallery-8ebb728b3b11.jpg) Sally Field — Kevin Paul, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/Sally_Field_-_Grauman%27s_Egyptian_Theatre_-_Norma_Rae.jpg/1280px-Sally_Field_-_Grauman%27s_Egyptian_Theatre_-_Norma_Rae.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![BAFTA's 2013.](https://film.one/media/person/83171/gallery-7b8175457e54.jpg) BAFTA's 2013. — Sean Reynolds from Liverpool, United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/BAFTA%27s_2013_%288463801229%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Natchitoches, Louisiana - Sidewalk with marker tribute to actress from film "Steel Magnolias" filmed there. (1993)](https://film.one/media/person/83171/gallery-f79535b1b301.jpg) Natchitoches, Louisiana - Sidewalk with marker tribute to actress from film "Steel Magnolias" filmed there. (1993) — Infrogmation of New Orleans, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/Natchitoches%2C_Louisiana_1993_-_Sally_Field_Sidewalk.jpg/1280px-Natchitoches%2C_Louisiana_1993_-_Sally_Field_Sidewalk.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![radhika khanna, Jane Fonda, Sally Field, Saman Mahmood (2015)](https://film.one/media/person/83171/gallery-40ffe1710cb3.jpg) radhika khanna, Jane Fonda, Sally Field, Saman Mahmood (2015) — Rocketwritertank, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d4/Radhika_khanna_1.jpg/1280px-Radhika_khanna_1.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Sally Field](https://film.one/media/person/83171/gallery-19cc37702fb0.jpg) Sally Field — Image via TMDB
- ![Sally Field](https://film.one/media/person/83171/gallery-c1306772c451.jpg) Sally Field — Image via TMDB
- ![Sally Field](https://film.one/media/person/83171/gallery-7eeaebf3f0a6.jpg) Sally Field — Image via TMDB
- ![kristin.eonline.com - 2009 SAG Awards, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles - Jan. 25, 2009](https://film.one/media/person/83171/gallery-a476d1a2a9e5.jpg) kristin.eonline.com - 2009 SAG Awards, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles - Jan. 25, 2009 — Kristin Dos Santos from Los Angeles, California, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Sally_Field_%281%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Sally Field BookExpo America 2018 at the Javits Convention Center in New York City.](https://film.one/media/person/83171/gallery-e106f69287f8.jpg) Sally Field BookExpo America 2018 at the Javits Convention Center in New York City. — Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/Sally_Field_%2811196%29.jpg/1280px-Sally_Field_%2811196%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Sally Field](https://film.one/media/person/83171/gallery-04c225fb14fc.jpg) Sally Field — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 2 won, 1 nominated

- 2013: Best Supporting Actress (nominated), for *Lincoln*
- 1985: Best Actress (won), for *Places in the Heart*
- 1980: Best Actress (won), for *Norma Rae*

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 4 won

- 2026: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (won), for *Remarkably Bright Creatures*
- 2007: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (won), for *Brothers & Sisters*
- 2001: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (won), for *ER*
- 1977: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (won), for *Sybil*

### SAG Awards — 2 won

- 2023: Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award (won)
- 2009: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series (won), for *Brothers & Sisters*

### Other awards — 5 won, 1 nominated

- Kennedy Center Honors 2019: Kennedy Center Honors (won)
- National Medal of Arts 2014: National Medal of Arts (won)
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame 2014: star on Hollywood Walk of Fame (won)
- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress 1992: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress (nominated), for *Not Without My Daughter*
- Crystal Award 1986: Crystal Award (won)
- Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year 1986: Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/sally-field