The delightful Academy Award-winning actress Sally Field has revealed why she passed on what arguably became Diane Keaton’s most icon role.
Field, 79, passed up on the chance to play Annie Paradis in the hilarious 1996 comedy movie “The First Wives Club.” Keaton — who sadly passed away in 2025 at the age of 79 — ultimately excelled in the role alongside the equally wonderful Bette Midler and Goldie Hawn.
In a recent chat with Parade, Field gave her reasons for shunning the opportunity to star in Hugh Wilson’s much-loved movie. Per IMDb, it’s about three divorcées, reunited by a friend’s passing, who seek retribution on their ex-husbands for having left them for younger women.
Sally Field Says ‘The First Wives Club’ Role Was ‘Not for Me’
GettyOn turning down the offer to play Annie Paradis in “The First Wives Club,” Sally Field told Parade, “I did turn it down. I loved all of those actors (Keaton, Midler, and Hawn), but I have always had a problem with older women either wanting to get a date or looking to like, you know, have more sex with their husband. Or I just feel like there’s more for women to say, so that was just never my cup of tea.”
Field also acknowledged that Diane Keaton was a better fit for the role, saying, “I couldn’t have done that role because I don’t sing, and they all did that at the end. I would never have been as good. I mean, it was absolutely right for Keaton, not for me.”
The actress then elaborated, “Maybe it would have been fun, but they were all so musical, and I’m not. And the movie wouldn’t have been the same.”
Field certainly has the acting chops to have nailed the acting side of Annie Paradis, a reserved and emotionally fragile character navigating heartbreak and doubts over her self-worth. The star has been nominated for Academy Awards three times and has won twice.
Her wins came in the Best Actress category for 1979’s “Norma Rae” and 1984’s “Places in the Heart,” while she was also nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in 2012’s “Lincoln.” On the latter occasion, she lost out to Anne Hathaway and her performance as Fantine in “Les Misérables.”
Field’s Career Certainly Hasn’t Suffered as a Result
Suffice it to say, Sally Field’s career certainly hasn’t suffered as a result of her turning down the opportunity to star in “The First Wives Club.”
Since 1996, in addition to her Oscar-nominated role in “Lincoln,” she has appeared in a plethora of successful movies and television shows (per IMDb).
Movies credits she has gained over the last 30 years include 2003’s “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde,” 2012’s “The Amazing Spider-Man,” 2015’s “Hello, My Name Is Doris,” and 2022’s “Spoiler Alert.”
On television, her prominent roles include the likes of legal drama “The Court,” medical drama “ER,” drama series “Brothers & Sisters,” and drama series “Dispatches from Elsewhere.”
Notably, she will appear in the upcoming Netflix mystery drama film “Remarkably Bright Creatures.” The movie also stars Lewis Pullman, Joan Chen, Kathy Baker, Beth Grant, Sofia Black-D’Elia, Colm Meaney, and Alfred Molina. Per IMDb, its plot is as follows: “Through unlikely bonds formed during night shifts at a local aquarium, Tova, an elderly widow (played by Field), learns of a life-changing discovery that may bring her joy and wonder once again.”
We wish the wonderful Sally Field all the best in her ongoing career. “Remarkably Bright Creatures” undoubtedly looks like it’s going to be a fantastic watch.
