Sally Field says Steven Spielberg unequaled in movie history

Last Updated on January 10, 2023

With two Academy Awards, Sally Field is in a limited field of actresses with multiple statues. And with two Oscars himself, Steven Spielberg may be in wider company but is still one of the most nominated. Speaking at the Palm Springs International Film Festival–where Spielberg and the cast of The Fabelmans was bestowed the Vanguard Award–Sally Field spoke fondly about the director…and how they almost were a Hollywood item.

In the early days of their respective careers (say, around The Flying Nun and Duel, respectively), Sally Field and Steven Spielberg were almost hooked up by the former’s manager. It didn’t work out–which possibly could have saved the director from handing over Amy Irving her fortune–but Field has nothing but admiration for Spielberg. “And though we never actually went on a date together, my beloved Steven Spielberg has never left my life. For almost 50 years–is it really?–we have gone through this life that’s been filled with good and bad, the laughter and the angst. He has been my biggest supporter and a constantly welcoming place.”

She continued, saying, “I honestly can’t imagine my life without him at this point, but I can’t imagine our country, much less the industry, had Steven Spielberg never held a camera in his hands. His vision, his sense of humor and fun, of terror and entertainment, his humanity and heart has been woven into the whole world’s consciousness…​​For almost six decades, he has terrified, touched and enthralled the entire planet. His art is so deeply in our blood that it’s easy to take him for granted. Like we don’t know his breathing to nod when we hear his name and overlook how impossible and how unequal his career has been and always will be.”

Sally Field isn’t saying anything terribly innovative here, but it is just another reminder just how fortunate generations of moviegoers have been to have Steven Spielberg consistently making movies. And even at 76, he’s showing no signs of slowing, as he is currently set to helm a Frank Bullitt movie with Bradley Cooper and expressing interest in finally directing his first western.

Perhaps surprisingly, Sally Field has only worked with Steven Spielberg once, in 2012’s Lincoln. For her performance, Field earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actress, her first Oscar nod since 1984’s Places in the Heart (and the only time she didn’t win the award).

Steven Spielberg has eight Academy Award nominations and will most certainly receive a ninth for The Fabelmans, which will tie him with Martin Scorsese for second. William Wyler has the record with 12.