Sally Field, the love of Burt Reynolds' life, paid homage to the late actor in a statement she released, earlier. Reynolds reportedly succumbed to a heart attack when he was with his family and passed away in a Florida hospital. The movie star and Oscar nominee passed away at the age of 82.

In a statement shared by the actress, Sally said, “There are times in your life that are so indelible, they never fade away. They stay alive, even forty years later,” Field, 71, said in a statement sent to HuffPost. “My years with Burt never leave my mind. He will be in my history and my heart, for as long as I live. Rest, Buddy.”

During his long career, he and his four-time co-star Sally Field dated for about five years and eventually called it quits. However, later in 2015, Reynolds admitted that Field was the love of his life when he told Vanity Fair, “Even now, it’s hard on me,” and further added. “I don’t know why I was so stupid. Men are like that, you know. You find the perfect person, and then you do everything you can to screw it up.”

In response to Reynolds' revelation to Vanity Fair, Field, who is very cautious of her personal life, told People magazine, “I have no response, really, and any response I would have would belong to him.” In another interview, Field was told about the late actor's famous phrase that he quoted, “He often says you’re the one that got away. He loves to say that.” To which Field simply said: “Well, yeah.”

Reynolds passed away in the company of his family. The actor is survived by a son, Quinton and former wife, actress Loni Anderson.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 07, 2018 10:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).