Actress Margaret Field and army soldier Richard Dryden Field welcomed Sally Margaret Field into the world on November 6, 1946, in Pasadena, California.
Sally initially appeared in the sitcom Gidget in 1965 as So-Cal surfer girl Frances "Gidget" Lawrence. Despite having a short run of one season, the show was groundbreaking for its portrayal of strong female leads in television.
Sally gave up her bikini for a habit after The Flying Nun had its premiere in 1967 in America. Though the show was a hit and had a lasting impression on pop culture, Sally wasn't "over the moon" about playing Sister Bertrille.
In 1968, Sally tied the knot with Steven Craig, her high school love. Peter and Elijah Craig were the couple's two boys, born during their seven-year marriage.
Sally, reprising her role as the title character, got another chance to show off her theatrical skills in the 1976 TV film Sybil.
In addition, Sally landed her first movie leading role that year. The humorous film Stay Hungry, which starred Jeff Bridges and Arnold Schwarzenegger as well, told the story of a bodybuilder who won't sell his gym.
Not only did Smokey and the Bandit inspire three movies, but it also sparked a romance between Sally and Burt. After starting to date in 1977, the two had an intermittent romance that lasted three years.
During her first Academy Awards, Sally was in the spotlight alongside Dustin Hoffman, who won Best Actor for his performance in Kramer vs. Kramer in 1980. Neither would stop being familiar with the awards ceremony.