Sally Field’s youngest son, Sam Greisman, thinks his time on the set of “Steel Magnolias” made him gay.
The actress, 79, recalled her experience filming the 1989 movie with People, calling it a “wonderful, wonderful experience.”
“We loved each other, all of us, we just completely adored each other,” she said about the cast of iconic women, which also included Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Dolly Parton, Daryl Hannah and Olympia Dukakis.
Sally Field’s youngest son, Sam, (both seen here in 2024) joked that “Steel Magnolias” is the reason he’s gay. WireImage for Vanity Fair
Field starred in the 1989 film with Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Julia Roberts, Daryl Hannah and Dolly Parton (as seen here). ©TriStar Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
“We would go shopping on the weekends — all together! Even Dolly sometimes, we’d go to the market, we’d play games, we’d all get together at somebody’s house.”
She went on to say that in her office, she has a photo of herself with Parton, MacLaine and Roberts at the wrap party.
“There was a big band, so it’s all of our tight headshots, and on my chest is my little son Sam,” she explained, referring to her 38-year-old son, whom she shares with ex-husband Alan Greisman.
“He was 6 months old, I’m holding his head because I’m trying to save his ears because it was loud. He was on the set all the time and my friends took care of him. Sam has always said that that’s probably why he’s gay,” Field added with a laugh.
Field (seen here with Sam in 2024) said during an interview, “He was on the set all the time and my friends took care of him. Sam has always said that that’s probably why he’s gay.” sallyfield/Instagram
Field also reminisced about her time making the film. ©TriStar Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
The “Mrs. Doubtfire” actress — who has been single since her 1994 divorce from Greisman — also has sons Peter, 56, and Eli, 53, with her first husband, Steven Craig.
All three of Field’s sons have followed in her footsteps and have careers in Hollywood. Sam specifically is a writer and producer.
In a 2023 essay published on People, Sam gushed about his connection with his mom, calling himself a “momma’s boy.”
Explaining why he was “perhaps too obsessed with her,” he said, “Maybe it’s because I’m the youngest, by sixteen years. Maybe it’s because I was a shy little kid and my mom was a safe space; a hip I was attached to.”
Field (seen here in 2025) also shares sons Peter (left) and Eli (right) with ex-husband Steven Craig. Getty Images
Field shares Sam (seen here in 2017) with her second ex-husband, Alan Greisman. Kevin Mazur
He added, “Maybe it’s because gay men feel a certain undeniable affection for award-winning actresses. Who knows! Whatever it is, we have always been incredibly close.”
Sam noted that he was “so connected” to his mom that he could trace his life through her career.
“While she shot ‘Mrs. Doubtfire,’ I built model airplanes and hung them all over our rented house in San Francisco. During ‘Forrest Gump,’ I would get to buy something at the toy store in Beaufort, S.C.,” he wrote.
“Later, a frank, heartfelt conversation about my queerness was used verbatim for a scene between her and Matthew Rhys. Still waiting on a retroactive writing credit on that, if I’m being perfectly honest,” he joked, referring to their time working on “Brothers & Sisters.”
Sam (seen here in 2024) gushed about his bond with his mom in 2023, calling himself a “momma’s boy.” samg1287/Instagram
Field gushed about Sam in 2012, saying, “Nature made Sam, it wasn’t a choice. He was always, always Sam, glorious, smart, funny, sweet Sam.” Getty Images
During a 2012 speech at the Human Rights Campaign annual national dinner, the actress said about motherhood, “The three things I am most proud of in my life are Peter, Eli and Sam — my sons. They are kind and loving, productive human beings. Each very different from the other.”
Addressing Sam in particular, Field added, “Sam was given colors and innate perceptions that his big brothers just simply don’t have. He’s a gentler nature, and it is a gift.
“Nature made Sam, it wasn’t a choice. He was always, always Sam, glorious, smart, funny, sweet Sam.”