Sally Field Is Proud Mother of Gay Son Who Wished She ‘Was a Little Less Supportive’ When He Came Out

Coming out as gay in his teenage years was difficult for Sally Field’s son, Sam. But thanks to his supportive mother, he was able to scale through. Years later, Sam would reveal that he wished his mom was less supportive.

Sally Field is a talented film and television actress who has accumulated countless credits on various projects in her career spanning decades. In the face of all these, she feels proud of her accomplishments, but nothing fills her with more satisfaction than being with her children.

The actress is a doting mom to three sons, whom she shares with two men. Field’s first two sons, Peter, a novelist, and Eli, an actor and director, were born to her and her first husband, Steven Craig, during their seven-year marriage, which ended in 1975.

Sally Field attends the premiere of HBO’s “Winning Time: The Rise Of The Lakers Dynasty” at The Theatre at Ace Hotel on March 02, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Then, the movie icon welcomed her youngest son, Samuel Morlan Griesman, with her second spouse, Alan Griesman, on December 2, 1987. Although the three men are grown up, they maintain a tightly knit bond with their mother.

Many can attest to the closeness between Field and her sons, one of whom is the actress’s long-time friend and TV director, Tricia Brock. Brock once revealed that when she and Field go out for dinner, the latter always keeps her phone on the table in case any of her sons’ calls.

According to the TV director, the “Forrest Gump” star will answer any call from her kids at any time. Here are more details about Field’s relationship with her sons, especially the youngest, Samuel.

SALLY’S REACTION WHEN HER YOUNGEST SON CAME OUT AT TEEN AGE

Sally Field, Sam Griesman during USA Network celebrates the US Open at Arthus Ashe Stadium in New York, New York, United States. | Source: Getty Images

Samuel, better known as Sam, was only 19 when he openly came out as gay, and since then, Field has been by his side, giving him all the support he could ever imagine.

From the confusing times of his teenage years to the moments of anxiety he has experienced throughout his life, Sam has had the most supportive mother. Over the years, Field has been open about her son’s sexuality, including her reaction when he first came out.

Sally Field and son Samuel Greisman attend The Actors Fund Annual Gala at the Marriott Marquis on 5/8//2017 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

During a 2016 chat session on EW Radio Town hall, the actress confessed that it was difficult for Sam to get accustomed to his identity as a gay man at the beginning. However, with her help, the young film producer eventually discovered his true self. According to Field:

“I welcomed him to welcome himself and find that part of his life.”

Sally Field and son Samuel Greisman attend The 67th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 9, 2013 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

While speaking, the actress also advised parents who felt like their child was about to come out to them to look on the bright side. In her words:

“First of all, don’t be frightened. And don’t put your own prejudices or fears about sexuality — your own fears about sexuality — on your children.”

Actress Sally Field and son, Sam Greisman attend the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 27, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Field further noted that it was horrifying that there were parents who disapproved of gay sexuality and were brainwashed into thinking that it was ungodly or against nature. According to the actress:

“It’s not against nature if nature has actually done this. Sam was always Sam, this wonderful human that he is, from the time he was born.”

Actress Sally Field and son Sam Greisman arrive at the 18th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards at The Barker Hangar on January 10, 2013 in Santa Monica, California. | Source: Getty Images

Field also admitted that it was saddening that some parents would shut their children out of the house when they were young. Thankfully, she was not one of them, which has made Sam remain grateful for his mother.

In 2012, he presented Field with the Ally for Equity Award at the Human Rights Campaign Gala, and while at it, Sam gushed about his mother’s acceptance of his sexuality. The producer said:

“When I came out, she didn’t bat an eye. In fact, she was overjoyed. Being gay was just one more thing she loved about me. She couldn’t be more supportive of me; if anything, I wish she was a little less supportive of me.”

SALLY TRIED TO SET HER SON UP ON A DATE WITH AN OLYMPIAN

Sally Field of ‘Dispatches from Elsewhere’ speaks onstage during the AMC Networks portion of the Winter 2020 TCA Press Tour on January 16, 2020 in Pasadena, California. | Source: Getty Images

Field’s support for Sam goes beyond speaking about him during interviews. The actress has gone as far as proving that she can play a matchmaker for Sam. In 2018, Field made the headlines after she attempted to set her son up on a date with his crush and Olympic Figure Skater, Adam Rippon.

It all began in February 2018 when Sam had a text message conversation with Rippon and shared it with his mom. After seeing the texts, Field thought of the athlete as “insanely pretty” and gave Sam some dating advice, asking him to find a way to meet the athlete.

Sam shared his mom’s response on Twitter and was careful not to reveal the identity of who they were talking about. However, Field decided to take things a step further. She retweeted Sam’s tweet and directly addressed it to the figure skater.

A few days later, Sam sent Rippon a direct message, apologizing for his mother’s actions. The athlete accepted the apology, and later, he offered Sam and his mom tickets to “Star on Ice,” scheduled to debut in April 2018.

But Sam did not have to wait until then to meet the figure skater, as they met a month prior at the Human Rights Campaign’s Los Angeles Gala.

A few years later, Sam is now an aspiring filmmaker and might be in a relationship as he is often seen hugging a particular man in pictures on Instagram. Before his speculated current relationship began, the aspiring filmmaker was dating Armand de la Torre.

According to Heavy, the duo only started appearing on each other’s Instagram pages in 2019. Meanwhile, Sam’s older brothers already have families of their own. Peter is a doting father to three kids, Isabel, Sophie, and Golden, whom he shares with his two ex-wives, Amy Scattergood and Jennifer DeFrancisco.

Eli has been married to his wife, Sasha Craig, since 2004, and the pair are doting parents to two children, Noah and Colin, making Field a grandmother of five. The actress adores her grandkids as much as she loves her children and enjoys spending time with them.

Anomama