Julia Roberts earned 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. Speaking to People last week, actor Sally Field recalled her "wonderful" experience working on the movie's Louisiana set, even sharing a behind-the-scenes photo of herself with Roberts and fellow co-stars Shirley MacLaine and Dolly Parton at the wrap party.
In the image, Field can be seen holding her son, Sam Greisman, who was just 6 months old during filming. "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.
A Beloved LGBTQ+ Classic
Steel Magnolias, which also starred Daryl Hannah and the late Olympia Dukakis, has been a favorite among LGBTQ+ audiences for some time. The movie, based on Robert Harling's 1987 play of the same name, 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.
Field shares Greisman, now 38, with her former husband, film producer Alan Greisman. She also has two children, Peter and Eli Craig, from her first marriage to Steven Craig.
Sam's Close Bond with His Mother
A writer and producer, Greisman has spoken frequently of his "incredibly close" relationship with Field. In 2023, he told People that 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.
In a 2016 radio interview with 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, she famously encouraged Greisman to ask former Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon, who is gay, on a date.
Challenges on Set
Despite her lasting admiration for her co-stars, Field has shared some less-than-positive anecdotes about working on Steel Magnolias in the past. Speaking to New York Magazine's Vulture in 2024, she recalled director Herbert Ross being "very, very, very hard" on Roberts, a relative newcomer. As to why Ross — who died in 2001 at age 74 — might have singled Roberts out, Field said: "Because he could be a real son of a bitch, that's why. Some people just need to have somebody they pick on. But we all came to her aid."
