‘Absolute legend’: stars pay tribute to Robert Redford
Casey Cooper-Fiske and Laura Harding |
Jane Fonda, Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese are among Hollywood figures paying tribute to screen legend Robert Redford, who died at his home aged 89.
Redford was acclaimed for films including All The President’s Men, Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid and The Sting, and was also known for his activism, as well as directing films such as Ordinary People, for which he won an Oscar, and A River Runs Through It.
Redford died on Tuesday at his home at Sundance in Utah, surrounded by loved ones, his publicist said.
“We lost an absolute legend in our industry. I admire him for not only his work as an actor, but as a director with Quiz Show,” actor Leonardo DiCaprio told the PA news agency at the premiere of One Battle After Another in London.
“We have a film tonight that we’re premiering, that is a political thriller in a lot of ways, and he was the one that created the foundation for all that, with All The President’s Men, Three Days Of The Condor.
“… he was an avid environmental advocate, was a member of the NRDC (Natural Resources Defence Council) like me, and he was a hero to a lot of people in our industry, including myself, so it’s a huge loss.”
A Beautiful Mind director Ron Howard called the Oscar-winning actor an “artistic gamechanger”.
“RIP and thank you Robert Redford, a tremendously influential cultural figure for the creative choices made as an actor/producer/director and for launching the Sundance Film Festival which supercharged America’s Independent Film movement. Artistic Gamechanger,” he wrote on social media platform X.
Actor Jane Fonda said news of Redford’s death had hit her hard.
“I can’t stop crying. He meant a lot to me and was a beautiful person in every way. He stood for an America we have to keep fighting for,” she said in a statement.
The marquee of the Egyptian Theatre in Park City, Utah, was changed to read: “Applause for Bob Redford! Thank you Sundance Kid!”
Director Martin Scorsese described Redford as “a unique artist, in front of and behind the camera” who gave American cinema “something irreplaceable and lasting” with Sundance.
“It saddens me to know that I won’t be seeing him again. And I’ll never forget my time with him,” he said in a statement.
Meryl Streep – who starred opposite Redford in 1985’s Out Of Africa and Lions For Lambs in 2007 – penned: “One of the lions has passed.”
Actor Demi Moore, who appeared alongside Redford in 1993’s Indecent Proposal, said his legacy will continue.
“The world has lost an incredible actor, director, husband, father, friend … Robert’s legacy will live on forever in so many ways and I will carry the many memories we share close to my heart,” she said on social media.
“What I would do for just one more dance.”
Barbra Streisand called Redford “one of a kind”.
“Bob was charismatic, intelligent, intense, always interesting – and one of the finest actors ever.
“The last time I saw him, when he came to lunch, we discussed art and decided to send each other our first drawings. He was one of a kind and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him.”
A statement from Redford’s publicist revealed the film great’s death.
“Robert Redford passed away on September 16, 2025, at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah – the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved,” it said.
“He will be missed greatly. The family requests privacy.”
PA
