It’s hard to be a woman in Hollywood, but Sally Field has chosen to defy most of the ‘rules’ put in place.

We love her work in films like Forrest Gump, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Steel Magnolias. Some of our favorite work from her, though, is not on the screen but instead in her personal approach to working against ageism and bullying in her career.

At 78, Field exudes the same radiance she possessed at 19 – though she’s still confronting criticism about her appearance

Early life and career

Field started life with some challenges, chiefly due to the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her stepfather, Jock Mahoney – something she revealed in her 2018 memoir, per The New York Times.

Her first acting gig was in the hit 60s sitcom Gidget, a role that skyrocketed her to stardom, landing her more serious acting roles in movies like Sybil and Norma Rae (which earned her an Academy Award).

As the years progressed, Field became known for her portrayal of strong maternal figures, in hit movies like Soap Dish and Not Without My Daughter.

“The woman I worked with, a great actress, on The Flying Nun, grabbed me to the back of the sound stage and put a piece of paper in my hand because I was really depressed,” she recalled.

Aging naturally

As she ages, Field has been vocal about approaching getting older with grace, saying in a 2016 interview with Good Housekeeping that she has accepted her status as an “old woman”. During that interview, Field added that she’s chosen to age naturally, especially because growing older is inevitable.