Steel Magnolias may have been life-changing for Sally Field‘s son.
Greisman’s Younger Years on Set
Samuel Greisman, 38, joked he is “probably gay” after he hung out with a load of women, including Dolly Parton, 80, Shirley MacLaine, 92, and Julia Roberts, 58, on the set of the 1989 romance-comedy flick that celebrates the power of female friendships.
Sally, 79, described a “picture that I have hanging in my little office” of herself, Dolly, Shirley, and Julia to People magazine.
She added, “We’re looking off because it was the wrap party, and there was a big band, so it’s all of our tight headshots, and on my chest is my little son Sam.”
The loud buzz on set forced Sally to “save” her and 79-year-old second husband, film producer Alan Greisman’s son’s ears because he was only “six months old,” and her pals “took care of him” as she worked.
Sally added, “Sam has always said that that’s probably why he’s gay.”
Samuel’s coming-out story “was used verbatim for a scene” in the ABC family-drama series, Brothers + Sisters, that involved Sally and her on-screen son, Matthew Rhys, now 51.
In 2023, film producer Samuel quipped he is “still waiting on a retroactive writing credit on that, if I’m being perfectly honest.”
Working with Sally
And the film producer relished going to work with Sally as a youngster.
He recalled, “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.”
Supporting Samuel’s Sexuality
Sally supported Samuel as he struggled with his sexuality.
In 2016, she told SiriusXM radio’s Jess Cagle, “Sexuality is a human, glorious part of existence. In Sam’s case, certainly, nature told him what to be. It wasn’t something he looked to be, and he found it difficult to grapple with.”
“I welcomed him to welcome himself, and find that part of his life.”
Being There for Your Child
Sally stressed that being there for their child is vital.
The Smokey and the Bandit alum said, “Some people actually shut their children out of the house when they’re young. They’re teenagers – they’re having a hard enough time trying to… own any part of sexuality. I’m still trying to figure it out!”
Sally added, “Don’t be frightened, and don’t put your own prejudices or fears about sexuality on your children… 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.”
The Eye for an Eye entertainer scooped the Human Rights Campaign’s Ally for Equality Award in 2012.
Sally is also mom to screenwriters Peter, 56, and Eli, 53, whom she had with her first husband, Steven Craig.