Sally Field’s TV Career: From ‘Gidget’ to ‘Brothers & Sisters’ and Beyond
The two-time Academy Award-winningAward winning actress brought home three Primetime Emmy Awards for her TV work
Anyone watching the young Sally Field in the 1965-debuting TV show Gidget could never have expected her to go on to become the recipient of two Academy Awards, a pair of Golden Globe Awards and no less than three Primetime Emmy Awards. It’s a career spanning more than six decades in which she has effortlessly shifted back and forth between movies and television.
In terms of her film career, you can see her evolve from Smokey and the Bandit (1977) to Norma Rae (1979), Place in the Heart (1984), opposite Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) and Forrest Gump (1994) right through Lincoln (2012), playing Aunt May in The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) and Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014), and 80 for Brady (2023). On TV, she first blew critics and audiences away with her portrayal of the schizophrenic Sybil Dorsett in the two-part TV movie Sybil, which aired in 1976. And through it all, she proved herself as comfortable with dramatic roles as she was with comedic ones.
Even though she came so far in her career from early sitcoms like Gidget and The Flying Nun, through the years she never had a problem returning to the medium, largely to acclaim. What follows is a look back at the seven series that Sally Field either starred in or, in one case, had a recurring part.
1. ‘Gidget’ (1965 to 1966)
Seasons/episodes: 1 season, 32 episodes
Cast: Sally Field (Frances “Gidget” Lawrence), Don Porter (Russell Lawrence, Gidget’s father), Betty Conner (Anne Cooper, Gidget’s sister)
Premise: The focus is squarely on Frances “Gidget” Lawrence, a Southern California teenager who’s doing her best to navigate adolescence, friendships and budding romances, all under the watchful eye of her protective widower father, Russell. Unlike most other characters of the time, Gidget not only loved the beach, but was avidly involved with surfing.
Behind-the-scenes facts:
- Sally Field was only 18 when she starred in the show, making it her breakout role.
- Despite its cult following, the show was canceled after just one season due to low ratings during its original run.
- The series gained popularity during summer reruns, earning a larger fan base post-cancellation, though not enough to change the network’s mind.
- The show was based on the 1957 novel Gidget by Frederick Kohner, which had already inspired a series of movies.
2. ‘The Flying Nun’ (1967 to 1970)
Seasons/episodes: 3 seasons, 82 episodes
Cast: Sally Field (Sister Bertrille), Marge Redmond (Sister Jacqueline), Madeleine Sherwood (Reverend Mother Placido), Alejandro Rey (Carlos Ramirez)
Premise: Sally Field stars as Sister Bertrille, a young and spirited novice at the Convent San Tanco in Puerto Rico. Due to her lightweight frame and the shape of her nun’s habit, Sister Bertrille discovers she can “fly” when the wind catches her veil. Her adventures often involve trying to help others while inadvertently causing chaos. It is, suffice to say, one of the oddest setups for a series, though compared to many of the shows from the 1960s … maybe not so much.
Behind-the-Scenes facts:
- Field has since referred to this role as a challenging one, feeling creatively stifled by the show’s premise and coming right out and saying how much she despised it.
- The series was inspired by the 1965 novel The Fifteenth Pelican by Tere Rios.
- Sally Field was pregnant during the third season, which was concealed by creative camera angles and costume adjustments.
- The flying sequences were accomplished using wirework and sometimes actual wind machines.
3. ‘The Girl with Something Extra’ (1973 to 1974)
Seasons/episodes: 1 season, 22 episodes
Cast: Sally Field (Sally Burton), John Davidson (John Burton)
Premise: This sitcom revolves around newlyweds Sally and John Burton, whose marriage faces unique challenges due to Sally’s psychic abilities, a gift of extrasensory perception that often leads to humorous misunderstandings and conflicts. This is made even worse for John, who is doing his best to navigate life and marriage with a wife who can actually read his mind.
Behind-the-scenes facts:
- Sally Field was eager to move away from her previous roles as teenagers, seeking more adult characters.
- The show aired during NBC’s push for high-concept sitcoms but failed to resonate with audiences.
- Critics praised Field’s comedic timing, but the show was canceled after one season due to low ratings.
- It was part of a slate of shows attempting to replicate the success of other paranormal comedies like Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie.
4. ‘ER’ (2000 to 2006, recurring role)
Seasons/episodes: 12 episodes
Cast: Sally Field (Maggie Wyczenski), Maura Tierney (Abby Lockhart), Noah Wyle (Dr. John Carter), Goran Visnjic (Dr. Luka Kovac)
Premise: Sally Field played Maggie Wyczenski, the bipolar mother of nurse Abby Lockhart. The show chronicles Maggie’s turbulent relationship with Abby, as Maggie’s mental health struggles affect Abby’s personal and professional life. Field’s emotionally raw performance earned critical acclaim.
Behind-the-scenes facts:
- Sally Field won an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her role.
- Field prepared by consulting mental health professionals and patients with bipolar disorder.
- The show’s producers extended her character’s arc after positive audience reception.
- Field’s performance was so compelling that it often left the cast and crew emotional during filming.
MUST-READ: Cast of ‘ER’ Then and Now: Catch Up with the Stars of the Iconic Medical Drama
5. ‘The Court’ (2002)
Seasons/episodes: 1 season, 6 episodes (canceled mid-season)
Cast: Sally Field (Justice Kate Nolan), Craig Bierko (Harlan Brandt), Pat Hingle (Chief Justice Townsend), Diahann Carroll (Justice Ruth Abrams)
Premise: A short-lived legal drama focusing on Supreme Court Justice Kate Nolan (Sally Field) as she navigates both the personal and professional challenges of being a newly appointed member of the highest court in the country. The show delves into the politics and ethical dilemmas of the judiciary while exploring the interpersonal dynamics between the justices and their clerks.
Behind-the-scenes facts:
- Her acclaimed role in ER led Sally Field to return to series television.
- The series attempted to offer a behind-the-scenes look at the Supreme Court, a rarely dramatized subject on television.
- Despite a strong cast and Field’s star power, the show struggled with low ratings and was canceled after only a few episodes.
- Critics noted that the series faced challenges due to its heavy tone and complex subject matter, which didn’t resonate with mainstream audiences. Given today’s atmosphere, one has to wonder how the audience would respond to this kind of show.
6. ‘Brothers & Sisters’ (2006 to 2011)
Seasons/episodes: 5 seasons, 109 episodes
Cast: Sally Field (Nora Walker), Calista Flockhart (Kitty Walker), Rachel Griffiths (Sarah Walker), Matthew Rhys (Kevin Walker), Dave Annable (Justin Walker)
Premise: A look at the lives of the Walker family as they cope with the death of the family patriarch, who left behind secrets that impact each member. Sally Field stars as Nora Walker, the matriarch who holds her dysfunctional but loving family together through personal and professional challenges.
Behind-the-scenes facts:
- Sally Field won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2007 for her role as Nora.
- The show featured a groundbreaking storyline about Kevin Walker, an openly gay character played by Matthew Rhys, and his relationships.
- Field’s heartfelt monologues became a signature aspect of the show, with some written specifically to showcase her talent.
- The show had several high-profile guest stars, including Robert McCallister and actor Rob Lowe.
7. ‘Dispatches from Elsewhere’ (2020)
Seasons/episodes: 1 season, 10 episodes
Cast: Sally Field (Janice Foster), Jason Segel (Peter), Eve Lindley (Simone), André Benjamin (Fredwynn)
Premise: This anthology-style drama follows four strangers brought together by a mysterious and immersive alternate reality game orchestrated by a secret organization called the Jejune Institute. Sally Field plays Janice, a widow rediscovering herself through the group’s adventures, as they search for purpose and connection.
Behind-the-scenes facts:
- Sally Field was personally approached by Jason Segel, who created the series, to join the cast.
- Field’s character was inspired by real-life participants of the alternate reality game on which the series is based.
- The show marked Field’s return to television after a nine-year absence.
- Filming took place in Philadelphia, and much of the visual style was influenced by surrealist art.
8. ‘Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty’
Seasons/episodes: 2 seasons (ongoing as of 2025)
Cast: Sally Field (Jessie Buss, mother of Jerry Buss), John C. Reilly (Jerry Buss), Quincy Isaiah (Magic Johnson), Jason Clarke (Jerry West)
Premise: This sports drama chronicles the rise of the Los Angeles Lakers during the “Showtime” era of the 1980s. Sally Field plays Jessie Buss, the savvy and supportive mother of team owner Jerry Buss, who offers him guidance during the team’s transformation into a basketball powerhouse.
Behind-the-scenes facts:
- Sally Field’s portrayal of Jessie Buss brought depth to a character who influenced her son’s career behind the scenes.
- The series is based on Jeff Pearlman’s book Showtime.
- Field’s chemistry with John C. Reilly was praised as one of the show’s highlights.
- To prepare for the role, Field researched the real Jessie Buss and her pivotal role in the Lakers’ history. Deadline.com describes the real Buss as “instilling in her son Jerry a love of math, money and good times.”
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