Julia Roberts Was ‘Picked on’ bySteel MagnoliasDirector, Says Sally Field: ‘We All Came to Her Aid’

Mar. 15, 2025

Sally Field and Julia Roberts in “Steel Magnolias.".Photo:TriStar Pictures/ Everett

TriStar Pictures/ Everett

Sally Fieldwas maternal overJulia Roberts, even off the set ofSteel Magnolias.

In a new interview withVulture, the 77-year-old actress revealed on the set ofSteel Magnolias, her costars —Shirley MacLaine,Dolly Parton,Daryl HannahandOlympia Dukakis— helped Roberts when the feature’s director, the late Herb Ross, “picked on” the younger actress.

Field shared that Ross’ feedback and treatment of the women varied. She explained that while he “pretty much” gave her the “freedom to do whatever,” he was “very, very, very hard on Julia.”

“If you ever talk to Julia, she’ll tell you,” revealed Field.

Sally Field and Julia Roberts in “Steel Magnolias.".TriStar Pictures/ Everett

As for why Ross treated Roberts poorly, “He could be a real son of a b—h, that’s why. [Laughs],” said Field. “Some people just need to have somebody they pick on.”

“But we all came to her aid, and I remember Dolly once just turned on him — always with humor, but usually the most vulgar humor you ever heard so that it was like, you just literally don’t have a leg to stand on,” shared the actress.

She confirmed Ross’ treatment of her was much different “because he dared not.”

“I mean, I don’t mind notes, but I will argue if it doesn’t make sense to me,” explained Field. “But if you’re gonna be mean to me, then you’re gonna find a warrior. I may be small, but you don’t want to do that.”

Julia Roberts and Sally Field on October 12, 2007 in Beverly Hills, California.Eric Charbonneau/WireImage

Eric Charbonneau/WireImage

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Based on the 1987 play of the same name,Steel Magnoliasexplored the relationships and sisterhood of a group of women in a small Southern community. The movie also starred MacLaine, 89, Parton, 78, Hannah, 63, and the late Dukakis.

While celebratingSteel Magnolias' 30th anniversary back in 2019, MacLaine told PEOPLE that she knew from the second she met Roberts that shewould go on to become a star.

Roberts, a relative newcomer at the time, scored an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress — the film’s sole nomination. She would later go on to win Best Actress forErin Brockovichin 2001.

source: people.com