Sally Field, 76, Remains Defiant Against Ageism in Hollywood Throughout Her Career, Choosing Not to Undergo Cosmetic Procedures.
We admire Sally Field’s remarkable performances in films like Steel Magnolias and Forrest Gump. However, it is her approach to combating ageism behind the scenes that showcases some of her finest work.
Born in 1946 in Pasadena, California, the now 76-year-old actress gained initial fame through television shows like Gidget and The Flying Nun.
Transitioning from television to film, she became a renowned figure and activist in the industry. Movies such as Smokey and the Bandit, Norma Rae, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Forrest Gump brought her further acclaim.
In February 2023, Sally Field was honored with the Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award, delivering a gracious speech acknowledging her illustrious and enduring career.
Throughout her journey, she has been bestowed with numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and two BAFTA Film Award nominations, among others.
A devoted campaigner, Field is celebrated for her talent and timeless charm. During her acceptance speech for the SAG Achievement Award, she eloquently highlighted the complexity of her acting career.
“I felt guarded, reserved, and out of the spotlight. But I was never sure what I’d say or do on stage. I would astonish myself,” she said. “I wasn’t hoping for praise or attention, though it’s excellent. Acting has always been about preserving those priceless moments when I feel whole, thoroughly, and occasionally dangerously alive. Finding a path there has always been a challenge.”
Field exuded grace and beauty, donning an exquisite black gown and proudly displaying her naturally gray hair.
“These roles have allowed me to discover and understand aspects of myself that I wouldn’t have known otherwise. I’ve been working all my life,” she shared. “For almost 60 years, there hasn’t been a day when I haven’t been genuinely happy to identify as an actor.”
In a 2016 interview with NPR, Field discussed playing the elderly, eccentric character Doris Miller:
“It’s okay that I’m an old woman; 70 is old. My years have given me strength; I have earned the right to have them, and I have owned them. And even if I dislike my neck and many other things, it’s alright.”
Field has been vocal about embracing the aging process naturally. In a 2009 interview with Good Housekeeping, she expressed how she handles the pressure to undergo cosmetic procedures for work:
“When I watch myself on television, I think, ‘Oh, I wish that weren’t happening to my neck.’ Additionally, your eyes are bulging, and your face is collapsing. But then, I see some of the women (who have undergone plastic surgery) who I once thought were stunning. Oh no, I’m feeling right now. Avoid doing it! And that would seem disrespectful to who they are right now.”
Sally Field’s beauty remains undeniable, regardless of her age, mainly because she has remained true to herself! What are your thoughts on her decision to embrace her natural hair?