Sally Field’s roles have been comical and serious, whimsical and terse, hopeful and morose, featured on big screens and small. Her talent has won her awards and movies in which her roles have achieved critical acclaim. Not all of the characters she’s portrayed went down in history as undeniable remarkable, but here are 10 of Sally Field’s roles that defined her career.
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Frances Lawrence in “Gidget” (1965)
In the 1965 TV series that turned out to be Field’s break out role, she played a quirky teenager on a quest for fun. The show only lasted one season, but it left audiences begging for more.
Sister Bertrille in “The Flying Nun” (1967-1970)
The 1967 TV show featured Field in the leading role of a petite nun with the gift of flight. She didn’t like the role despite audience enthusiasm,
according to Biography.com, but continued with it for three seasons.
Sybil in “Sybil” (1976)
Field portrayed the title character with multiple personality disorder in this TV movie that won her first Emmy.
Norma Rae in “Norma Rae” (1979)
Again a title character, Field was awarded her first Golden Globe and Oscar for her portrayal of a cotton mill worker attempting to unionize her workplace.
Edna Spalding in “Places in the Heart” (1984)
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In this 1930s-era drama, Field played a widow trying to keep her cotton farm afloat. She earned her second Oscar for Best Actress as well as a Golden Globe.
M’Lynn Eatenton in “Steel Magnolias” (1989)
Field was one of a group of six close-knit friends in this well-loved comedy-drama from 1989.
Miranda Hillard in “Mrs. Doubtfire” (1993)
Though not a leading role, Fields played the wife of an unemployed actor dressing in drag simply so he could see his estranged family.
Mrs. Gump in “Forrest Gump” (1994)
Again, Field’s role wasn’t a leading one, but the film became an instant award-winning classic. She was only ten years older than Tom Hanks when she played the part.
Nora Walker in “Brothers & Sisters” (2006-2011)
As the matriarch of a dysfunctional family, Field claimed her third Emmy. According to Biography.com, she said the love and drama resonated with her and she remained part of the show for its duration.
Mary Todd Lincoln in “Lincoln” (2012)
For playing the wife of one of America’s most-loved presidents in this 2012 film about Lincoln’s presidency and the Civil War, Field was nominated for an Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA Film Award for Best Supporting Actress.
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