Sally Field: Rage fueled my Oscar wins

Sally Field, who first gained fame as the sunny Gidget in 1965, has revealed the profound impact of her early life experiences on her acting career. At 79, she reflects that beneath her cheerful exterior lay a "darkness" that she would later explore, leading to her iconic status with two Academy Awards.

Field's early career included three difficult years on "The Flying Nun," a role she felt pressured into at just 19. Following this, she faced a career slump but committed to honing her craft at the Actors Studio. A turning point arrived with roles in "Stay Hungry" and "Smokey and the Bandit."

Her breakthrough came with the 1979 film "Norma Rae," where she began to confront a traumatic childhood involving emotional and sexual abuse from her stepfather. Field recalls feeling "filled with rage" and credits her acting coach, Lee Strasberg, with teaching her to channel this emotion constructively.

This deep emotional exploration became a hallmark of her work in films like "Absence of Malice," "Places in the Heart," and "Lincoln," as well as Emmy-winning television roles on "ER" and "Brothers & Sisters." Field also cherishes friendships formed during her career, notably with castmates from "Steel Magnolias."

Today, Field remains active, preparing for theater rehearsals. She continues to express disinterest in roles focused solely on women searching for male partners, emphasizing her belief in the greater complexity of women's lives and her ongoing dedication to artistic improvement.