Sally Field praises First Amendment in rare Hollywood appreciation moment
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Actress Sally Field recently appeared on a television show to praise the First Amendment, citing the importance of free speech in an age of intense political division.
“When I was in the seventh grade, I was asked to memorize something I have never forgotten. ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble,” Field said on CBS’s “60 Minutes.”
The two-time Academy Award winner shared on a deeply personal level what freedom of speech in the U.S. Constitution means to him.
“This is the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. I didn’t quite know what that meant at the time. I certainly didn’t know its importance. And now, almost 67 years later, I understand it like never before,” he said.
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Actress Sally Field praised the First Amendment, a rare example of someone with Hollywood connections appreciating American heritage. (Dominik Bindl/Getty Images)
Field’s defense of the Constitution comes at a time when many of his Hollywood counterparts frequently use their massive platforms to express bitter dissatisfaction with America’s domestic policies and immigration practices.
Most recently, the entertainment industry took action following the January 2026 shooting death of Renée Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother who was killed by a federal immigration agent during an enforcement operation in Minneapolis. The incident sparked national outrage and reignited a fierce debate over immigration enforcement tactics.
The stars that stood out at the Golden Globes; Mark RuffaloWanda Sykes, Natasha Lyonne and Jean Smart – wore black-and-white protest pins reading “Be Good” and “ICE Out” on the red carpet to commemorate Good and speak out against the agency.
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Mark Ruffalo USA wore a pin that read “Be Good” in memory of Renee Good at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards. (Michael Tran/AFP via Getty Images)
Field emphasized that he respects the right of all citizens to voice their opinions, including his activist colleagues, and noted that the First Amendment exists to protect precisely those actions.
“I have the right to speak openly, to signal and to engage in peaceful protest without fear of punishment or reprisal or worse,” Field said. “I have learned that this fragile thing called democracy must be protected, that the brilliance of our Constitution begins with the words ‘We the People.’ I believe in the durability of our Constitution, and I believe in the goodness and power of the people.”
Field is known for his versatile, powerful career spanning six decades. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress twice. Norma Rae (1979) and Places in the Heart (1984). His other iconic film work includes: Forrest Gump, Mrs Doubtfireand Spielberg’s Oscar-nominated performance Lincoln’s.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Field representatives for further comment.
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Many celebrities have vowed to leave the United States following the election of President Donald Trump. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
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