SALLY FIELD’S STAR ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME

This morning I went to Hollywood to speak about Sally at the “star” ceremony for her. In the photo above, I was probably saying something nice about my friend and she, as always, was protesting. I’ve never met a movie star/actor as modest as Sally. I think it was actually challenging for her to show up and “own” the event. All I can say is “It’s about time” . . . I was sure she’d gotten a sidewalk star eons ago. I mean, how many actors have shown such a breadth of talent–making us laugh, making us cry, gasp in recognition of some trait or quirk or foible that we recognize in ourselves or gasp as we are led by her into realizing some human truth we hadn’t noticed before. Think about it: From “Gidget” and “The Flying Nun” to “Sybil,” “Norma Rae” and “Places in the Heart” to her acting on Broadway in Edward Albee’s “The Goat”–her range is beyond remarkable.

I remember the first time I saw “Sybil” (for which she won an Emmy Award) I was so stunned by the way she embodied all the different personalities that I couldn’t speak for awhile afterwards. She always brings 200% of herself to every role, sinks down deep into the persona in a way that is very unusual.

Then there’s Sally the person. Over the years, I’ve marveled at how she gives of herself unselfishly as a parent and, now, grandparent. It seems she has always be present and available to her children and over the long period of her mother’s illness, she took her in and cared for her, as well.

BTW, I have the parasol because I’m taking an antibiotic that won’t let me get any sun at all or risk a bad rash. But it’s a pretty cool parasol, right? It’s by Persole Chic Shade with a Swarovski crystal handle!

Beau Bridges came to the ceremony and spoke, as well. If you haven’t checked him out as a gay man in the 1950s (with Allison Janney, who plays his wife) in “Masters of Sex,” be sure to do so.

Over the years, Sally and I have talked about many things and she has taught me (without even knowing it) about the art of acting, preparing for a role and being fearless. She is one of my dearest friends although I, like all her friends, have to work hard to get her to come out and get together. I believe she’s most comfortable in sweat pants at the stove or writing or reading at home by herself . . . or babysitting the grandkids.

Here we are with members of the Los Angeles City Council who also came to honor Sally. I wish I’d gotten a photo of her son, Eli and his young son. Eli is the spitting image of his mother.