For over 30 years, Sally Field kept silent about a deeply personal moment that occurred on the set of *Mrs. Doubtfire* in 1993.

Now, she has courageously shared the story of that day, revealing not only a side of Robin Williams that many never saw but also shedding light on her own painful past and the resilience that shaped her life and career.

What happened on that set changes everything we thought we knew about the beloved actor Robin Williams—and about Sally Field herself.

 

Born on November 6, 1946, in Pasadena, California, Sally Field’s early life seemed, from the outside, to be a classic Hollywood story.

Her mother, Margaret Field, was a working actress, and her father, Richard Field, was an army officer and pharmacist.

But beneath the surface, Sally’s childhood was far from glamorous.

Her parents divorced when she was just four years old, shattering any illusion of a perfect family.

The family’s life was chaotic, uncertain, and painful.

 

Sally’s mother remarried actor and stuntman Jock Mahoney when Sally was five.

While he appeared charming and heroic, behind closed doors, Mahoney inflicted years of sexual abuse on young Sally.

She was manipulated into believing she had some control over what was happening, even though she was powerless.

The abuse stopped when she was 14, but the emotional scars remained hidden for decades.

She did not confide in anyone—not friends, not family, not even her mother—until more than 60 years later.

 

The trauma Sally endured profoundly affected her self-worth, relationships, and view of love.

The silence was a heavy burden she carried alone until 2011, when, in a quiet moment as her mother was dying of cancer, Sally finally revealed the truth.

Her mother’s response offered the comfort and support Sally had long been denied: “You won’t be alone in this anymore.” Acting became Sally’s refuge.

From junior high through high school, the drama department was a sanctuary where she could shed her real-life pain and become someone else.

On stage, she found freedom and purpose, a place where she could express emotions she could not otherwise voice.

Yet, on the surface, she appeared like any other teenager—cheerleader, smiling and energetic—camouflaging the turmoil beneath.

 

At 17, Sally’s life took another difficult turn when she became pregnant.

With abortion illegal at the time, she underwent a harrowing illegal procedure in Tijuana, Mexico, which left her physically and emotionally traumatized.

This experience, like much of her early life, was shrouded in silence and shame.

 

Despite these hardships, Sally’s career began to take off.

She became a national sensation starring in *Gidget*, a lighthearted TV show about teenage life.

However, this early typecasting trapped her in the image of the bubbly, innocent girl.

Even when she starred in *The Flying Nun*, a hit show from 1967 to 1970, she felt humiliated and creatively stifled.

The role left her depressed and struggling with bulimia, as she was unable to break free from Hollywood’s narrow expectations.

 

Determined to be taken seriously as an actress, Sally joined the Actors Studio and studied under Lee Strasberg.

This training helped her find authenticity and depth in her performances.

Her breakthrough came with the 1976 TV movie *Sybil*, where she portrayed a woman with multiple personality disorder.

The role was intense, dark, and demanding—far removed from her earlier work—and it earned her an Emmy Award and critical acclaim.

 

This marked the beginning of Sally’s transformation from a sitcom star to a respected dramatic actress.

She took on challenging roles in films such as *Norma Rae* (1979), where she played a factory worker who helps unionize her coworkers, and *Places in the Heart* (1984), portraying a widowed mother fighting to save her Texas farm during the Great Depression.

Both performances won her Academy Awards and solidified her reputation as a serious artist.

 

While her career flourished, Sally’s personal life was fraught with difficulties.

She married Steve Craig in 1968 and had two sons, but the marriage ended after seven years.

Later, she entered a relationship with Burt Reynolds, one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

Though their relationship appeared glamorous, behind the scenes it was marked by confusion, control, and emotional pain.

 

Reynolds was jealous and demanding, often controlling how Sally dressed and whom she spoke to.

His chronic pain led to a reliance on prescription drugs, and Sally found herself silently nursing his addiction.

The relationship echoed patterns from her past abuse, leaving deep emotional scars.

Despite the pain, Sally acknowledged there was love, but the cost to her confidence and freedom was high.

In 1993, while filming a highly emotional divorce scene for *Mrs. Doubtfire*, Sally received devastating news: her father had suffered a massive stroke and was near death.

Despite the shock, she did not break down on set.

Instead, she continued acting, holding herself together with immense emotional control.

 

Robin Williams, known for his loud and comedic on-screen persona, noticed something was wrong.

He gently pulled Sally aside, asking if she was okay.

When she quietly revealed her father’s passing, Robin immediately insisted to the director that filming be paused and the schedule rearranged so Sally could leave and grieve.

This act of kindness and humanity showed a side of Robin Williams few ever saw—a sensitive, intuitive man who could feel pain even when it was unspoken.

 

Years later, Sally chose to share this story not for attention but to reveal the compassionate nature of Robin Williams and to shed light on her own struggles.

Writing her memoir *In Pieces* took seven years and was a raw, brutal, and honest look at her life.

She detailed the abuse she endured, the trauma of her illegal abortion, and the emotional battles she fought throughout her career.

 

Sally’s decision to speak out in 2024 was inspired by the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the U.S.Supreme Court.

For her, this was not just a political issue but a deeply personal one.

She wanted to give voice to the countless women of her generation who suffered in silence and to support those fighting for reproductive rights today.

 

Despite the pain and hardship, Hollywood has long celebrated Sally Field’s talent and resilience.

She has received numerous accolades, including two Oscars and a Lifetime Achievement Award.

At 78, she remains a powerful advocate for mental health, reproductive rights, and survivors of abuse.

Sally Field’s story is one of survival, strength, and courage.

From a troubled childhood to becoming one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses, she has used her platform to speak out for those who cannot.

Her honesty and authenticity continue to inspire many, proving that even in the face of tremendous adversity, healing and hope are possible.

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