Julia Robertsreceived her first Academy Award nomination for “Steel Magnolias,” but the 1989 dramedy may have had an even more profound impact on one of her co-star’s children.
Speakingto Peoplelast week, actor Sally Field recalled her “wonderful” experience working on the movie’sLouisiana set, even sharing a behind-the-scenes photo of herself with Roberts and fellow co-stars Shirley MacLaine andDolly Partonat the wrap party. In the image, Field can be seen holding her son, Sam Greisman, who was just 6 months old during filming.
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“We loved each other, all of us. We just completely adored each other,” the two-time Oscar winner said, noting that Greisman “was on the set all the time, and my friends took care of him.”
“Sam has always said that’s probably why he’s gay,” she added, laughing.
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“Steel Magnolias,” which also starredDaryl Hannahand the lateOlympia Dukakis, has been a favorite among LGBTQ+ audiences for some time. The movie, based onRobert Harling’s 1987 play of the same time, follows the lives and loves of a tight-knit group of Southern women before a tragedy strikes.
Harling, who also wrote the screenplay for “The First Wives Club,” is gay.
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FieldsharesGreisman, now 38, with her former husband, film producer Alan Greisman. She also hastwo children, Peter and Eli Craig, from her first marriage to Steven Craig.
A writer and producer, Greisman has spoken frequently of his “incredibly close” relationship with Field. In 2023,he told Peoplethat an early conversation he’d had with his mother was “used verbatim” for one of her scenes on the ABC drama “Brothers & Sisters.”
“My mom has given me permission to be messy, to struggle, to fight with her, to rage at her when I have no one else to yell at, given me permission to pick out all of her award show dresses, because... well, no explanation needed,” he told the outlet.
Ina 2016 radio interviewwith People’s former editorial director Jess Cagle, Field recalled how she “welcomed [Sam] to welcome himself” as he was coming to accept his queer identity. Two years later, shefamously encouragedGreisman to ask former Olympic figure skaterAdam Rippon, who is gay, on a date.
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Despite her lasting admiration for her co-stars, Field has shared someless-than-positive anecdotesabout working on “Steel Magnolias” in the past. Speaking toNew York Magazine’s Vulturein 2024, she recalled director Herbert Ross being “very, very, very hard” on Roberts, a relative newcomer.
As to why Ross ―who diedin 2001 at age 74 ― might have singled Roberts out, Field said: “Because he could be a real *** ** * *****, that’s why. Some people just need to have somebody they pick on. But we all came to her aid.”
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