Sally Field Hires Guard Because of Threats Prompted by Film Role

At the urging of the U.S. government, actress Sally Field has hired a personal security guard after receiving threats against her, her publicist acknowledged Thursday.

The Oscar-winning actress is starring in the controversial film “Not Without My Daughter,” in which she plays the American wife of an Iranian-born physician who deceives her and their daughter into a trip to his homeland. While there, she finds herself held hostage by Islamic followers. Critics have denounced the film as one-sided and negative in its portrayal of Islamic culture.

Field’s publicist, Pat Kingsley, said the actress agreed to hire protection “because of the times we’re in right now. We felt it might be wise.”

Kingsley said Field took the role in the movie because, as a true story, it intrigued her. “It was one person’s story, and she did it as an actress,” Kingsley said.

Field has received wide exposure in the media for the film, giving a number of interviews and speaking on national TV talk shows.

The MGM/Pathe Entertainment Co. release opened in 1,137 theaters on Jan. 11 and has generated only lukewarm business at the box office.